Rudy Gobert hit a major milestone Sunday night, and he did it in classic Gobert fashion-by owning the glass. The Timberwolves center pulled down 18 rebounds in Minnesota’s gritty 103-100 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, pushing him past the 10,000 mark for his career. That number puts him in elite company-just the 45th player in NBA history to hit that rebounding milestone.
It’s a testament to Gobert’s consistency and durability over the years. Of those 10,000-plus boards, 7,119 came during his nine seasons anchoring the paint for the Utah Jazz.
Since arriving in Minnesota, he’s added another 2,897 and counting. At 33 years old, Gobert is still doing what he’s always done best-controlling the interior, cleaning the glass, and giving his team second chances.
After the game, Gobert took a rare moment to reflect on the journey so far.
“It’s just good sometimes to take time to pause and reflect a little bit on the journey and then what’s been accomplished, even though I still have so much more to accomplish. It’s good to just relax and look back, it's cool.”
For a guy known more for his rim protection than his quotes, that’s about as introspective as it gets. But it’s well-earned.
Gobert’s résumé is already stacked: three-time All-Star, four-time Defensive Player of the Year, and now a member of the 10K rebound club. And he’s not just coasting-his numbers this season show he’s still a force.
Through 29 games, he’s averaging 11.5 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game, shooting a blistering 73.3% from the field.
Sunday’s game was a showcase of exactly why Gobert remains so valuable. His six offensive rebounds were crucial in a game where every possession mattered.
The Timberwolves were ice-cold early, shooting just 35% from the field and missing their first 13 three-point attempts. But Gobert’s work on the boards helped keep them within striking distance.
The turning point came in the third quarter. Down 16 early in the period, Minnesota ripped off a 20-0 run that completely flipped the script.
It started with a hustle play-Naz Reid followed his own missed three with a powerful dunk that lit a spark. From there, the Wolves started to find their rhythm, and Gobert’s presence in the paint gave them the edge they needed.
Mike Conley returned to the lineup after missing four games with Achilles tendinopathy, and his steady hand made a difference. He finished with six assists, six points, and five rebounds, helping the offense settle in after a rocky start. His chemistry with Gobert-built over years together in Utah-was evident, especially during that third-quarter surge.
Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 24 points, though it wasn’t his most efficient night. He shot just 7-of-24 from the field and 2-of-11 from deep, but he came through when it mattered most.
His driving layup with 21 seconds left effectively sealed the win. Edwards also matched Conley’s six assists and committed just one turnover-a sign of his growing maturity as a playmaker.
Donte DiVincenzo added 18 points and knocked down four threes, giving the Wolves a much-needed perimeter boost on a night when the shots weren’t falling early. Minnesota also capitalized on Milwaukee’s mistakes, outscoring them 23-7 off turnovers-a crucial stat in such a tight game.
Rudy Gobert on gathering his 10,000 rebound tonight.
— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) December 22, 2025
“It’s good sometimes to take time to pause and reflect a little bit. On the journey what’s been accomplished even though I have so much more to accomplish. It’s good to just relax and yeah it’s good” pic.twitter.com/vMOH7qlrTA
The Wolves had to battle through adversity, too. Jaden McDaniels exited in the first half with left hip pain, but the team got a lift from Jaylen Clark, who returned after a one-game absence. It was a true team effort-gritty, resilient, and exactly the kind of win that builds character over the course of a long season.
Now sitting at 19-10, Minnesota is four wins ahead of last season’s pace at this point. They’ll look to keep the momentum going as they close out their five-game homestand against the New York Knicks on Tuesday.
As for Gobert, the milestone is just another chapter in what’s shaping up to be a Hall of Fame-worthy career. He may not always dominate the headlines, but nights like this remind us just how impactful he’s been-and continues to be.