In the battle for the fifth seed in the Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Houston Rockets at Target Center in time beyond regulation by 110–108, after trailing 108–95 with 2:45 left in OT earlier than going on a 15–0 run to safe a vital win with out Anthony Edwards.
It was the largest time beyond regulation comeback in NBA historical past and the standout participant for Minnesota was Rudy Gobert, who completed with 14 factors, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks on 7-of-13 taking pictures, together with a vital defensive play in the clutch when he blocked Kevin Durant in isolation.
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After the recreation, Gobert responded to a remark from reporter Chris Hine, who requested whether or not he was shocked that so many gamers goal him in isolation regardless of being statistically one in every of the greatest isolation defenders in the league.
“I know that’s not what I feel, it’s the world. That’s not what I hear on Instagram,” Gobert said in the locker room after the recreation. “I don’t know if it’s surprising because it’s getting around, it’s getting around. But overall, a little bit, but I get excited. I’m a competitor and I embrace these situations. You rarely see those clips on social media, so you see more of the, when it comes to me, you see all the negative stuff.”
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“I don’t really care,” Gobert added. “The impact of winning is what I care about and helping my team. That’s what I wake up excited to do every day. Maybe the truth will catch up to those people one day.”
Gobert’s defensive numbers are elite this season
Despite being tied with legends like Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace for the most Defensive Player of the Year awards in historical past, Gobert has usually been the topic of viral clips on social media highlighting his offensive limitations.
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However, the French heart is effectively conscious of his worth and has been one in every of the most impactful profitable gamers in the league for years. Over the previous decade, he ranks third in complete wins league-wide with 481, trailing solely James Harden and Nikola Jokic.
This season, Gobert ranks amongst the prime 10 gamers in opponent discipline aim share allowed at 44.4 p.c, whereas posting a defensive score of 108.8 factors allowed per 100 possessions, in accordance to NBA.com, additional proof that he stays the greatest defensive participant of his era.
Although Jaden McDaniels scored 25 factors and Julius Randle added 24, and although Alperen Sengun had a giant night time with 30 factors and 6 rebounds on 12-of-22 taking pictures, together with a robust poster dunk on Gobert, who finally fouled out, the defining second of the recreation was Gobert’s protection on Durant.
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KD completed the recreation with 30 factors and eight assists, albeit on 9-of-22 taking pictures, effectively under his regular normal and in the finish, that possession on Rudy, together with missed free throws, proved expensive for his crew.
Gobert is as soon as once more in the combine for the DPOY award
It was a vital win for Chris Finch’s squad, which now sits 1.5 video games forward of Ime Udoka’s crew and stays firmly in the hunt for the third seed in the West, at present held by the Los Angeles Lakers with a two-game cushion, all whereas Edwards is sidelined with harm.
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Still, Gobert made positive the crew did not lose momentum and he is as soon as once more on monitor to end in the prime three of the Defensive Player of the Year voting, possible behind Victor Wembanyama, whose numbers have been astonishing, however not far off from what the 33-year-old is producing.
So do not be shocked if the Timberwolves attain the Western Conference finals for a 3rd straight season. It will not be straightforward, however with the Gobert–Edwards core, it’s extremely a lot inside attain.
This story was initially revealed by Basketball Network on Mar 26, 2026, the place it first appeared in the Latest News part. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
