The Minnesota Timberwolves let another one slip away Friday night, coughing up an 18-point lead in a 119-115 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. And if you’ve been following this team closely, you know this isn’t just a one-off. It’s part of a troubling trend - Minnesota showing up with fire against elite competition, only to sleepwalk through games they’re expected to win.
Rudy Gobert, never one to mince words, had plenty to say postgame. The three-time All-Star didn’t just vent frustration - he issued a challenge. A challenge to his teammates, to the coaching staff, and to himself.
“We played the right way first half, for the most part,” Gobert said. “We play hard and we up 18 and come out to the third and we jog back.
We don't contest shots. I mean, there is just no effort.”
That lack of urgency? It’s not new, and Gobert made that clear. He’s been seeing it since he arrived in Minnesota, and it’s not just a bad night - it’s a pattern.
“We’ve seen that many, many times this year, the last few years since I’ve been here,” he continued. “And we always know it’s coming, and when it comes, there’s no sense of urgency, no accountability.”
That last word - accountability - was the heart of Gobert’s message. He wasn’t just pointing fingers.
He was calling for a culture shift. If players can’t hold themselves to a standard, someone else needs to step in and do it.
And Gobert wasn’t hiding behind stats or deflecting blame. He owned his part in it too.
“It starts with me,” he said. “If I’m not showing effort, take me out the game.”
That’s a bold statement from a veteran leader, and his production backs up his willingness to lead by example. Over the last 10 games, Gobert has averaged just under 10 points, over 11 rebounds, and nearly two blocks per game - solid numbers for a defensive anchor.
Against the Pelicans, he posted a 12-point, 16-rebound performance, adding two assists, three steals, and two blocks. The effort was there, but he knows it needs to be contagious.
Minnesota’s recent form has been a mixed bag. A five-game skid in mid-January threatened to derail their momentum, but they’ve gone 5-2 since. Still, losses like Friday’s make you wonder: which version of the Timberwolves is going to show up on a given night?
The upcoming stretch won’t make things any easier. Minnesota is staring down matchups with the Clippers, Hawks, Blazers, Mavericks, and Sixers - a mix of playoff contenders and trap games that could either solidify their standing or expose more cracks.
At 32-21, the Timberwolves are sitting sixth in the Western Conference. That’s a solid spot, but it’s also a fragile one. In a crowded West, a few more collapses like Friday night’s could mean the difference between home-court advantage and a play-in scramble.
Gobert’s message was loud and clear: talent alone won’t get this team where it wants to go. The Timberwolves have the pieces - now it’s about putting them together with consistent energy, effort, and yes, accountability.