Before Rudy Gobert exited the game, he was doing exactly what the Timberwolves have come to expect from their veteran anchor in the paint-controlling the glass, facilitating the offense from the high post, and protecting the rim with his usual presence. In 20 minutes of action, Gobert logged seven points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and a block before being ruled out for the remainder of the night. No immediate details were provided regarding the nature of his absence, and all eyes now turn to head coach Chris Finch, who’s expected to offer an update postgame.
The timing of Gobert’s exit is significant. Minnesota came into the night riding a wave of momentum, having won six of their last seven games.
They were in the middle of a tight contest against the Kings, clinging to a narrow lead early in the fourth quarter. In a Western Conference race that’s shaping up to be as competitive as ever, every game-and every possession-matters.
Losing Gobert, even temporarily, could have ripple effects.
Through the first 25 games of the season, Gobert had been a model of durability and consistency, suiting up for every contest and averaging just over 31 minutes per game. His production has been steady: 11.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game, while shooting an eye-popping 74.5% from the field. His free-throw shooting remains a work in progress at 54.3%, but his impact on both ends of the court continues to outweigh that particular shortcoming.
Now in his fourth year with the Timberwolves and his 13th season in the league, Gobert has long since established himself as one of the NBA’s elite defensive big men. Drafted 27th overall back in 2013, he’s carved out a career defined by rim protection, rebounding dominance, and defensive IQ. His presence in the paint has been a key ingredient in Minnesota’s early-season success-and if he’s forced to miss time, the Wolves will need to make some quick adjustments.
For now, the Timberwolves will wait on word from Finch, hoping that Gobert’s early exit was more precautionary than anything else. But with the season heating up and the Western Conference standings tightening by the day, Minnesota knows just how vital their big man is to the road ahead.