Watch: Rudy Gobert and Derrick Jones Jr. involved in heated exchange, get assessed with tech soon after

Things were not going well for Rudy Gobert and the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half of Game 5. Gobert and the Wolves faced a 29-point deficit at the half. Early in the game, Rudy Gobert was assessed a technical foul for a scuffle with Derrick Jones Jr. and Dereck Lively II.

Jones fouled Gobert under the basket, then shoved Gobert. The Wolves center then walked back into Jones bumping into him. He also feigned putting up his arms acting innocent in the exchange as he walked through Jones.

The two were quickly separated. Lively II shouted some words at Gobert. Only Jones and Gobert were assessed double technical fouls. Check out the video from inside the arena.

Gobert was kept under double digits scoring through the first three quarters of Game 5. The Mavericks dominated early and often in Minnesota’s home building.

Gobert of course has a history of scuffles. He famously was put in a chokehold by Draymond Green during a scuffle earlier this season in a game against the Golden State Warriors. Gobert was just playing peacekeeper in that one before being attacked by Green. He was trying to separate his teammates from a scuffle before being dragged away by Green.

Rudy Gobert’s offensive woes in Western Conference Finals

Gobert’s early tech in Game 5 was yet another side of the big man’s struggles in the series. The defensive player of the year asserted himself on the defensive end.

However, his defense came up short as Luka Doncic put him on skates to nail the game-clinching 3-pointer in Game 2 over the Frenchman. Gobert was roasted in the media for the defensive slip-up.

Gobert has not been the most effective offensive weapon either. He was averaging 12.5 ppg in the series before Game 5. That is below his season average of 14.0 ppg. Gobert was efficient as usual but only averaged 4.5 made shots per game in the series before Game 5.

Rudy Gobert’s weaknesses on the offensive end have been apparent once again in the postseason. Gobert has often seen a decline as an offensive threat in playoff basketball. The Mavericks' smaller lineups have forced Gobert out to the perimeter, which has decreased his value on the floor.

Rudy Gobert also had his usual struggles from the free-throw line. He was shooting 60 percent from the line before Game 5. Gobert's playoff reputation will likely continue after another disappointing performance in the postseason.