Why is Rudy Gobert not starting for France? Closer look at his absence against Canada

On Tuesday, Rudy Gobert was left out of France's starting lineup against Canada as the team continues to pursue a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Given that Gobert is a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and has been a staple of France's starting lineup this summer, the move shocked fans.

some speculated as to an injury, however, according to Ben Golliver, Les Bleus coach Vincent Collet has reportedly been facing pressure to pull Gobert from the starting lineup, which sparked the change for Tuesday's must-win game against Canada.

Gobert wound up checking into the game in the second quarter, as fans expected, with France able to jump out to an early lead over Canada to start the game.

From the sounds of things, one of the biggest contributing factors in coach Vince Collet's decision to omit Rudy Gobert from the starting lineup was Canada's speed. With Dwight Powell starting, Collet opted to move Wembanyama to the starting center position given his abilities as a versatile defender.

Below you can see the full starting lineups for both teams for Tuesday's high-stakes game.

Canada starting lineup

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
• Lu Dort
• RJ Barrett
• Dillon Brooks
• Dwight Powell

France starting lineup

• Frank Ntilikina
• Isaia Cordinier
• Nicolas Batum
• Guerschon Yabusele
• Victor Wembanyama

Looking at how Rudy Gobert has played for Team France leading up to Tuesday's France-Canada game

Prior to Tuesday's game between France and Canada, Rudy Gobert had been a staple of coach Vincent Collet's starting lineup through the team's international friendly games, as well as the Group Phase of the Olympics.

The Timberwolves star and France notably competed against Canada on Jul. 19 in an international friendly that saw Gobert score 12 points while hauling down six boards. Despite his contributions, Canada emerged victorious from the game, picking up an 85-73 win.

Despite posting just a 2-4 record through their international friendly games, Victor Wembanyama was unfazed. As he explained leading up to the Olympics, he would rather the team struggle and face adversity in their international friendly games than during the Olympics.

The adversity seemed to make France better, with the team rattling off back-to-back wins in their first two games of the Group Phase.

In their opening game against Brazil, Rudy Gobert logged seven points, three rebounds and three blocks, however, he then dominated the glass against Japan with 15 rebounds and five points.

In France's 85-71 loss to Germany to close out the Group Phase, however, Gobert struggled, logging just four points and a rebound for a +/- of -3 despite four blocks. Given his struggles, and the high-stakes game between France and Canada, Collet has now moved Rudy Gobert to the bench.

As the team looks to win their first gold medal, it will be interesting to see if Collet's decision pays off.