The Minnesota Timberwolves closed the series against the Nuggets with a shocking 98-90 win on Sunday. Why shocking? Because many believed the game was put to bed after the Nuggets took a 15-point lead in the first half.
After witnessing the proceedings, Charles Barkley commented on “Inside The NBA” on TNT during half-time, “They gotta take Gobert out the game…Joker is just throwing him around like a damn ragdoll, first and foremost.”
The Sixers legend believed Gobert was ineffective on both ends of the court and singled him out as the weakness in the Timberwolves line-up. After the win, the 4-time DPOY winner was informed of Chuck’s comments and Gobert had a humorous response to that. “I don’t watch these guys. … I’m glad coach didn’t listen to his advice,” said the Frenchman, and was met with laughter from the media.
This was not the first time Gobert has been criticized for his performance, especially in his match-up against Nikola Jokic. But after a woeful first half, the Timberwolves turned the tables in the second half, thanks to some sturdy performance from the 7’1″ center.
Ruby Gobert leads a monstrous defensive performance in the second half
After posting 53 points on the board in the first half, the Nuggets were limited to only 37 in the next one. Most of the credit goes to the superb defensive organization of the Wolves, with Rudy Gobert at the heart of it.
The Timberwolves’ 19-3 sequence was the game’s turning point as they hounded for every ball. Karl-Anthony Towns and Naz Reid stepped up as well, with KAT finishing the night with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Gobert missed a double-double just by a rebound as he recorded a 13-9-1 stat line. In the fourth quarter, he also scored a mid-ranger fadeaway, which surprised the Nuggets as well as his Minnesota teammates.
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The staunch defensive performance and a comeback victory against the Champions will be a big morale boost going into the Western Conference Finals against a talented Dallas Mavericks side.
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