Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert attacked by his own bees ahead of NBA play-offs game

Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert will line up for play-offs game 6 against the Dallas Mavericks with a swollen face after being stung by bees from his own hive. 

Gobert, sporting swelling between his nose and right eye, told reporters after Utah's midday shoot-around that his vision was not affected.

The 7-foot-1 centre said he owns a hive at his Salt Lake City-area home. He said the bees had been agitated in recent days after he worked with a beekeeper to change the queen bee in the hive.

The three-time Defensive Player of the Year has apparently taken living in the Beehive State to heart.

«It was like, seven guys, but I'm the only one who came out of the room,» Gobert joked to reporters on Friday.

He also said it was not a bad thing to get stung.

«It's actually good to get stung by a bee,» Gobert said.

«It doesn't look like it is right now … There are actually some health benefits. Some people get stung on purpose — I didn't.»

The Jazz are looking to sting the Mavericks in a must-win match. Dallas leads the best-of-seven series 3-2.

Gobert said this is the third time he has been stung since purchasing the hive about a year ago.

«I always felt great the next few days after for some reason,» Gobert said.

«It's good for the environment, it's good for the landscape, the flowers, the fruits.

»And I love honey, so I always wanted to have my own. It's great. Sometimes, there's casualties."

Gobert is averaging 12.4 points and 13.4 rebounds in the series.

Jazz star Donovan Mitchell is listed as «available» to play despite injuring a hamstring in game 5.

The 25-year-old is averaging 26 points on 37.9 per cent shooting with 5.0 assists and 3.6 rebounds in the series.

Reuters/ABC