MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves welcomed back their star center Rudy Gobert on Sunday in a triumphant return to competitive action against the San Antonio Spurs. His comeback followed a hiatus of 10 games due to a back injury. A display of prowess from the Timberwolves saw them register their highest-scoring game of the season.
In the matchup, Gobert was placed back into the Timberwolves’ familiar starting lineup alongside guards Mike Conley and Anthony Edwards, with Jaden McDaniels and Julius Randle filling the forward positions. Naz Reid, who had been stepping up as a starter during Gobert’s absence, transitioned back to a reserve role. Reid made his mark by posting respectable averages of 18.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game during Gobert’s time away.
During the game, Gobert contributed mightily over 20 minutes on the court, recording 16 points and securing eight rebounds. In what was a stellar group effort, the Timberwolves secured a 141-124 victory over the Spurs, marking their fifth consecutive win.
Following the game, Gobert humorously remarked on the team’s synergy, “Do you believe in coincidences?” He continued on a more serious note, “It was great. It was fun. When the ball is moving like that and the mindset is how it was tonight, I think we have a very powerful team.”
Currently, Gobert’s season average is 11.1 points per game, marking the lowest in his career over the past decade. The seasoned player, celebrated for winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award four times, is now in his third season with the Timberwolves. Unfortunately, Gobert missed the chance on Sunday to compete against his compatriot, Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs’ center who is sidelined for the season due to a blood clot in his right shoulder.
