A massive $110 million extension signed by the Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert was put to the test by the Los Angeles Lakers Rui Hachimura. A stunning dunk from Japan’s Small Forward has everyone in an uproar. In the second game of the 2024-25 Tip Off, Hachimura just posted Gobert. The responses are pouring in X.

“Rui: Congratulations on your contract extension. Here’s your gift.one user tweeted, mocking the top defensive player for his massive contract extension, which was recently announced. Another user agreed with “Imagine a Rui MVP season coming up”. This may seem far-fetched, but this is just the beginning of the season, who knows, this tweet could deliver its parlay. One user was in awe of Hachimura, writing: “ WE ARE SITTING”, the capital letters really show the excitement that Hachimura brought to the rim with his deceptive athleticism. One user even went so far as to say: “He will be dunked by Bronny”. Considering Bronny is a rookie and won’t be picked until the second round, this comment has to hurt.

Just minutes before the Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves game, Shams Charania out ESPN announced Gobert’s contract extension. A pay cut for the 4x DPOY, but provides some relief from the luxury tax paid by the Wolves. It may be a pay cut, but it is not less in any way. $110 million for three years is not bad on any scale.

The contract gives Gobert more certainty about his future as the 32-year-old star progresses in his career. Gobert has declined his $46.6 million player option for next season and is committed to the Wolves through the 27-28 season. The center is expected to make $43.8 million this season, with his contract extension effective for the 2025-2026 season. However, he will have a player option after the second year of the new deal.

Was dipped and then blocked. Rudy Gobert can’t catch a break

Moments after Hachimura was put on the poster, the Wolves center attempted a shot when he was embarrassed again by the Japanese. “AMD was blocked by him *laughing emoji*one user tweeted, the misfortune for Gobert continued. It didn’t end there. He was blocked again by Anthony Davis. Davis deflected a dunk attempt by Gobert, the reigning defensive player of the year. He joins Gobert for the DPOY and it must have been so satisfying to deny him an opportunity. Another user, probably Wolves fans, said “NO NO NO GOBER” in response to Gobert’s AD block. “That was personal lol… AND SO MUCH BETTER ON BOTH SIDES THAN GOFRAUD“, this user even went so far as to call the 4x DPOY a fraud, praising AD for both its offense and defense.

‘That’s for the Olympic Games in France. Bitch ass refs and pepe le pieux fucks. I hope RUI CONTINUES TO VIOLATE HIM” This was a release from his pent-up frustration about the Olympics and he was pleased to see Gobert not playing so well. “As soon as RUI went out, the attack stagnated,” read one tweet in response to Hachimura blocking Gobert. It’s true that the Lakers slowed down a bit, but they had built a huge lead early on. They led by 19 points in the first half. Heading into halftime, the Lakers led by 13 points.

The Timberwolves scored fifteen goals in the first three quarters, allowing the Lakers to score seventeen points on those mistakes. Despite this, Minnesota entered the fourth quarter trailing by just eight points. With 10:38 left in the game, the Timberwolves closed the gap to four points, trailing the Lakers 85-81. However, the Lakers quickly answered with a 6-0 run, pushing their lead back to ten points at 91-81 with 8:36 remaining.

But this was not enough; the Lakers reaped the rewards of building the lead early and switching gears when necessary. The final score was Lakers 110-Timberwolves 103.