Rudy Gobert delivered a performance for the ages on Wednesday night, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a decisive victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of their playoff series. Gobert owned the paint, recording a playoff career-high 27 points and 24 rebounds. He made history, becoming the first player in NBA history to score 25+ points, 20 rebounds, and shoot 80 percent in a series-clinching win.
That same matchup, this time at the Target Center in Minneapolis, where the Timberwolves took advantage of their opponent’s small-ball line up. Gobert showed amazing efficiency as he was 12-of-15 from the field. His transcendent performance won his team a state championship and propelled them into the national playoff bracket. This victory completed consecutive first-round victories for the Timberwolves, a franchise-first accomplishment never before achieved in the Timberwolves’ franchise history.
For all the talk about him being overrated, Gobert’s impact on the game was profound. That is remarkable considering he only scored 14 points total in the first four games of the series. His comeback could not have come at a more opportune moment, him signaling the form for which he had long wished to create an environment. “I had a feeling a game like Wednesday night’s was on the horizon,” Gobert remarked post-game.
Anthony Edwards, arguably the Timberwolves’ other franchise player, offered a more colorful assessment, lauding Gobert’s effects and referring to him as a “dragon.” Edwards with a smile on what the victory meant considering they were up against a Lakers team that many predicted would run through the series. “What makes it feel even better is that they said ‘Lakers in five,’ and the Wolves won in five,” he stated. “So I think that makes it feel 10 times better.”
Following the Timberwolves’ recent success, head coach Chris Finch has credited Gobert’s presence and leadership for propelling the team forward. “Rudy’s a winner at the highest level. He drives winning,” Finch stated, underscoring Gobert’s ability to perform under pressure. Finch stressed the importance of acknowledging this victory. We got a long way to go and we’ll reassemble, but we’re certainly gonna celebrate this! This group of guys worked their tail off.
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