As the Minnesota Timberwolves strive to solidify their playoff position, the spotlight is on their key players, Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert. While Randle has been a consistent force, Gobert's recent performances have raised eyebrows, particularly in crunch time.
On Friday, Randle found himself benched during the pivotal moments of the game, a decision that paid off as the Timberwolves snapped a three-game losing streak. Fast forward to Sunday against the reigning champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Gobert faced a similar fate. It was arguably his toughest outing of the season, prompting Coach Chris Finch to leave him on the bench during the game's critical closing minutes.
Gobert's offensive struggles are becoming a recurring theme, especially against top-tier teams. His performance against OKC was a stark reminder of his limitations on that end of the floor. Despite being a defensive powerhouse, Gobert's offensive contributions-or lack thereof-are a growing concern as the playoffs loom.
During Sunday's game, Gobert was a minus-23 in his 29 minutes on the court. The Timberwolves actually outscored the Thunder by 10 points when he was off the floor. His offensive touches have dwindled, and his four turnovers matched his four field goal attempts-a troubling stat line for the former Defensive Player of the Year.
Gobert's attempts were often thwarted, with three of his shots blocked at the rim. He managed to score only on an uncontested dunk early in the fourth quarter. Known for his prowess in offensive rebounding, Gobert was effectively neutralized by OKC, securing just one offensive board.
The return of Kyle Anderson brought some hope for better ball movement, as Gobert previously hinted at his appreciation for Anderson's passing. However, even Anderson's attempts to feed Gobert didn't translate into points on Sunday.
Gobert's offensive woes aren't isolated to one game. In four matchups against the Thunder this season, he's totaled just 30 points.
His scoring averages against other strong teams are similarly underwhelming-seven points against Denver, 9.5 against Cleveland, and 10 against Houston, to name a few. His output against teams like San Antonio and the Lakers is equally concerning.
With the playoffs just around the corner, the Timberwolves will face no easy opponents. The pressing question remains: Can Gobert elevate his offensive game enough to warrant significant minutes in the postseason? It's a narrative that has followed him since his Utah Jazz days, and one that Minnesota must address as they aim for a deep playoff run.