Rudy Gobert has long been one of the NBA’s most selfless players. Whether it is on offense or defense, Gobert’s raw box-score numbers never tell the complete story of his impact. The first three games of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ first-round series against the Denver Nuggets have been no different.
Gobert is averaging 9.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1 block per game, shooting 60% from the field in 34 minutes. However, Gobert’s ability to neutralize three-time MVP Nikola Jokić and limit the Nuggets’ offense from catching fire has completely flipped the series script after Minnesota’s Game 1 loss in Denver.
Defending Jokić is easier said than done. As Gobert experienced in Game 5 of their 2024 matchup, sometimes you can do everything you can to defend, and Jokić can still find a way to knock down shots.
What makes Jokić so dangerous is that you have to be careful with coverages, because sometimes all it takes is one slip-up off-ball to allow Jokić to find a teammate.
Gobert has a long history with his battles with Jokić. The decorated bigs have shared a division throughout their entire careers and are now in their fourth playoff duel. There’s the infamous “brother, I have 47” line from his time in Utah. But there has always been a mutual respect for each other’s game.
“He is the greatest offensive player I have guarded in my whole career,” stated Gobert. “Just enjoying the challenge and making him work — making him earn everything he gets.”
Not only has Gobert forced Jokić to earn everything. According to NBA tracking data in their individual matchups, Gobert has held Jokić to 12/35 (34.3%) from the field through the first three games of the series.
Winning has followed Gobert throughout his career. He puts it above all else. Gobert has always done whatever it takes to reach the finish line with a victory. He has never prioritized his offensive stats or begged for the ball.
“I try to impact the game, not just by scoring,” Gobert told reporters after Game 3. “By the gravity when I roll to the basket, by getting my teammates open, getting offensive rebounds, creating offense in a kinda unusual way for my teammates.”
Of course, it would be wise for a head coach not to align their offense with Gobert’s skill set. There is no need to force touches, but there still needs to be a way for him to be involved. Gobert has understood this assignment.
Whether it’s extending possessions through good hustle, using screen flips to open up shots for perimeter scorers, or rolling hard to the rim and forcing the low-man to make a read. Gobert has already found his way to make his mark in the first round against Denver.
Gobert has more freedom in the regular season, but when the playoffs roll around, he has real concerns. He can be a play finisher on dump-offs and lobs. However, within the flow of the offense and when opponents pressure Anthony Edwards on ball screens, Gobert needs to be competent offensively.
“Just try to impact the game in any way I can. When I have to finish plays, I’ll finish plays,” Gobert said about his offense after Game 3. “Just try to be aggressive with my screens, crashing the glass – creating offense for my teammates.”
Contrary to the narratives throughout his career, the primary reason the Wolves have taken Gobert off the floor in the playoffs has been his subpar offense. Gobert’s lack of offensive punch and inability to be a short-roll playmaker were crucial reasons the Timberwolves struggled against Dallas two seasons ago in the Western Conference Finals.
When Gobert can find a way to stay on the court offensively, it only strengthens Minnesota’s chances. As we saw in the second quarter of Game 2, the offense can be more dynamic when it can flow into more five-out spacing concepts. However, the Wolves continue to have a night-and-day difference defensively when Gobert is on the court vs. off.
It is vital to find an outlet, by any means possible, to make Gobert viable offensively because his defense has been a game-changer for the Timberwolves in this series against Denver.
Gobert’s two points stood out in Game 2 because it was a putback dunk off an offensive rebound, fighting around a Jokić box out, and gave the Timberwolves a four-point lead with 2 minutes remaining in regulation. There is just so much that Gobert’s box score won’t show about his offense, but luckily for the Timberwolves, Gobert is well aware of this.
All he wants is to leave the game with a victory.
