Rudy Gobert’s recent return to the lineup gives the Timberwolves a boost.
Over the past few weeks, the Timberwolves have been steadily regaining their health, and the last domino that needed to fall did so Sunday when Rudy Gobert made his long-awaited return to the lineup against the San Antonio Spurs. Gobert’s presence adds a new layer to the team’s dynamics, elevating both their offense and defense. When he’s performing at his peak, Gobert is a game-changer, especially on the defensive end, where his impact can completely alter the flow of the game.
Gobert finished with 16 points (7-8 FG, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, two assists and two steals across 20 minutes in Sunday’s 141-124 victory over San Antonio. .
The Timberwolves need Gobert to be at his best if they want to make a deep run in the playoffs or reach the postseason without going through the SoFi Play-In Tournament. The schedule favors Minnesota in that regard, as the team does not play again until Wednesday and doesn’t face a back-to-back until next Sunday and Monday. As a result, Gobert could ramp up to his usual workload fairly quickly. He’s not going to play 35 minutes right away Wednesday, but the adjustment period should not be lengthy.
The return of Gobert changes things in Minnesota’s rotation, most notably Naz Reid moving back to his effective role off the bench. What remains to be seen is whether the frontcourt pairing of Gobert and Julius Randle can produce as expected. First things first, though – the Timberwolves needed Gobert back on the court, and that step is now complete.
Now, Minnesota needs to make the most of Gobert’s return. His disruptive presence on defense and his size near the rim offensively could be the difference for the Timberwolves the rest of the way, particularly in the right playoff matchup. At the least, Minnesota has its top big man back, and there is no doubt they’re better with him than without.
