The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Dallas Mavericks 105-100 on Tuesday and forced Game 5 in the Western Conference Finals. After the game, Rudy Gobert opened up on his team’s performance and mindset throughout the playoffs.
Timberwolves Star Talks Defense and Physicality After Forcing Game 5
When asked about the intensity of the game, Rudy Gobert discussed the challenge of playing aggressively while managing fouls. He acknowledged the difficulty of navigating a physical game when key players were at risk of fouling out.
“It’s tough. It’s a tough place to navigate,” Gobert said. “You know, it’s a very physical game. We get called for fouls sometimes, and you’re not sure what to do. But I’m proud of the way we kept our composure throughout the whole game. I’m proud of every single guy that stepped on the floor and impacted the game to help us win it.”
Despite this, Rudy Gobert praised his team for maintaining their composure throughout the playoffs, which he believed was crucial to their success.
He then mentioned the balance they had to maintain between their defensive and offensive play. He noted that their defense was particularly strong, as they held the Mavs to 100 points. Gobert got a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals yesterday.
“I felt like we’ve been pretty good defensively every game. Sometimes they made some incredible plays, especially in the last three games,” Gobert said.
However, Rudy Gobert also felt that there was still room for improvement in their offensive play. He pointed out the high number of turnovers and missed free throws as areas to work on.
“Tonight, we had a good start. Our team did an amazing job containing the ball. As a team, we did a good job defensive rebounding and contesting every shot. We just have to keep grinding. Offensively, we still have a lot of upside. We had too many turnovers tonight and missed a lot of free throws. Fixing these things will help us win by an even bigger margin.”
Anthony Edwards just missed a triple-double on the night, leading the Timberwolves with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. Karl-Anthony Towns, who struggled in the first three games of the series, scored 20 of his 25 points in the second half. Towns shot an impressive 9 of 13 from the floor and made 4 of 5 from three-point range. Despite fouling out with 1:38 remaining after a pump fake from Luka Doncic, Towns’ performance was crucial for the Timberwolves.
Rudy Gobert Opens Up on Wolves’ Depth
During the interview, Gobert also spoke about the overall balance and depth of their team. He highlighted that their strength lay in the contributions of various players, not just the star performers. He said:
“All year, the strength of our team is our team and our depth. We have a lot of guys that come in and win games for us. They might not get as much spotlight because they’re not scoring 30 or 40 points, but they win basketball games with the winning plays they make on both ends. That’s the strength of our team.”
Gobert appreciated how different players stepped up in different games, making crucial plays that might not always be highlighted but were essential for their victories.
“Whenever I step off the floor, someone else comes in, gives everything they’ve got, and impacts the game positively. It’s cool to be part of a group with that mindset. We want to see each other shine. That’s one of the big reasons we’re playing the way we are right now,” Rudy Gobert said.
Rudy Gobert then reflected on the importance of actually achieving what they believed they could do—winning against tough opponents. He stressed the importance of staying focused, trusting each other, and making the most of every moment. The Timberwolves delivered their best defensive performance of the series yesterday, holding the Mavericks to 100 points.
The Wolves defense was particularly effective in the final moments. With Dallas closing the gap to 100-97, Edwards hit a crucial mid-range jumper to extend the lead. On the Mavericks’ following possession, Kyle Anderson stole the ball from Irving, sealing the victory. Next up, the Minnesota Timberwolves will host the Dallas Mavericks at Target Center on Thursday in a must-win fixture for Rudy Gobert and Co.
