The French men’s basketball team advanced to the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics with an 82-73 victory over Canada. However, the win was overshadowed by conflicting reports regarding star player Rudy Gobert’s health.
Gobert, who played only three minutes in the game, attributed his limited involvement to a surgery he claimed to have undergone on his left ring finger.
“I had surgery on my finger yesterday and was thankful to play at all,” Gobert told reporters after the game.
France center Rudy Gobert said he injured his left ring finger in practice two days ago and had surgery on it yesterday which limited his minutes against Canada. France advanced to semis with victory vs. Canada.
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) August 6, 2024
This statement raised eyebrows and sparked immediate controversy.
Team France’s head coach, Vincent Collet, quickly refuted Gobert’s claim. Collet stated that Gobert did not undergo surgery and that the decision to bench him was purely strategic.
“Rudy did not have surgery. The lineup changes were based on matchups,” Collet explained.
France coach Vincent Collet said Rudy Gobert did not undergo surgery on injured finger before win over Canada and lineup changes were based on matchups
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) August 6, 2024
He added that while Gobert’s finger was examined and he had an MRI, the decision to play a smaller lineup against Canada was the primary reason for Gobert’s limited minutes.
The conflicting accounts have left fans and analysts puzzled. Gobert, a key player for both the Minnesota Timberwolves and Team France, had his left ring finger taped during the game, indicating some level of injury. However, the extent of the injury and the necessity of surgery remain unclear.
As Team France prepares for their semifinal matchup, the focus will undoubtedly be on Gobert’s health and the team’s strategy moving forward. Whether Gobert’s claim was a misunderstanding or a miscommunication, the incident has added an unexpected layer of drama to France’s Olympic journey.
With the semifinals approaching, Team France will need to address the internal confusion and ensure that all players are on the same page. The team’s success will depend not only on their physical readiness but also on their ability to maintain unity and focus amidst the controversy.
