Less than a year ago, Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert was widely criticized, with many doubting his ability to perform effectively in the NBA playoffs despite his multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards. His past struggles, notably a defensive misstep against Luka Doncic, fueled questions about his suitability for the switch-heavy postseason environment.
These doubts resurfaced during the recent first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers. Facing a team that frequently employed a small lineup lacking traditional centers, Gobert appeared marginalized in the initial games, contributing minimally with low scoring and rebounding numbers over significant minutes.
However, in a crucial Game 5 victory that eliminated the Lakers, Gobert delivered a commanding performance, silencing his critics decisively. Dominating the paint from the start, he achieved career playoff highs with 27 points and 24 rebounds, shooting an efficient 12 of 15 from the field. His nine offensive rebounds and subsequent put-backs provided essential momentum boosts for the Timberwolves.
Coach Chris Finch praised Gobert, calling him a “winner at the highest level” and a competitor. Teammate Anthony Edwards described his performance vividly, saying Gobert “was a dragon tonight.”
Gobert`s Dominance Compensates for Team`s Poor Shooting
Gobert`s stellar game was particularly vital because the Timberwolves had an historically poor shooting night from beyond the arc, making just 7 of 47 attempts (15%). Their 40 missed three-pointers set an NBA playoff record.
Gobert was the only Timberwolves player to shoot over 50% from the field, his dominance in the paint directly offsetting the team`s struggles, including a difficult 0-for-11 night from three for Anthony Edwards.
While questions may remain about his consistency in future playoff rounds, Gobert proved his significant value in Game 5. He demonstrated that traditional centers can still thrive when opponents opt for smaller lineups. As Gobert himself put it, the team is simply “a bunch of guys who want to win… who have been through a lot of adversity.”
