UPDATE: Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch announced that Rudy Gobert will not play following the birth of his son.
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Rudy Gobert made his presence felt in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Game 1 upset over the Denver Nuggets. He logged six points, 13 boards and three blocks in the 106-99 win.
However, the Wolves might be without their big man for Game 2 as he’s questionable to play after his girlfriend delivered a baby boy Monday morning. There’s no news yet on if the first-time father and Defensive Player of the Year finalist will be able to fly into Denver in time for tip-off.
Gobert has been pivotal to Minnesota’s success as the team is yet to lose a game this postseason (5-0). Gobert is averaging 13.2 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game, and, according to ESPN, the Wolves are outscoring the opposition by 74 points during his 175 minutes of action. That’s the second-best plus-minus for any individual player in the playoffs.
Both Gobert and Minnesota have known for months that the veteran center might have to miss a playoff game due to the birth of his child. In fact, he spoke to the media about it back in March, explaining how if he did have to miss a game, the entire organization would support him.
“I would do anything I can to be there,” he said at the time. “I don’t think there’s any debate to have. Coach (Chris) Finch and every guy in this locker room, that’s what I love about them, we have a level of human connection and empathy for one another that I think is really good. And I think all the guys will be literally telling me, ‘Don’t play, go.’”
