DENVER — The Minnesota Timberwolves will be without center Rudy Gobert Monday night, according to head coach Chris Finch.
The Timberwolves' head coach confirmed Gobert's status about an hour-and-a-half before the tipoff of Game 2 in their series with the defending NBA Champion Denver Nuggets. The Wolves lead the series 1-0 after winning the series opener Saturday in Denver.
While the official report is that Gobert is out for "personal reasons," the Associated Press is reporting Gobert was back in Minneapolis, where his partner gave birth to the couple's son early Monday.
“There was definitely consideration ... but the timing of his circumstances plus some weather made it really tough,” Finch said. “And we didn't feel like he was going to be able to get here and be prepared to play.”
Gobert played a crucial role in the Wolves' 106-99 win in Game 1, roaming the paint and denying Aaron Gordon his usual diet of alley-oop dunks.
A rotation of Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns and Naz Reid also hounded Nikola Jokic, the MVP favorite who committed an uncharacteristic seven turnovers and missed 14 shots in the opener.
Without Gobert, “obviously Kyle (Anderson) will get some time on” Jokic, Finch said. “Maybe we'll have to do some different things. But it all begins and ends certainly with KAT first and foremost.”
Jamal Murray was listed as questionable for the Nuggets, but coach Michael Malone said he fully expected him to be in the starting lineup despite a strained left calf that's bothered him for more than a week.
The Wolves are healthy save for their coach, who underwent right knee surgery last week after a sideline collision with point guard Mike Conley in Round 1 and is watching the action from a second row of seats on the Wolves' bench. Assistant coach Micah Nori has been the one relaying instructions to players on the court and working the officials.
“It was a little weird. Last time I sat in the second row I was an assistant coach here in Denver,” Finch said. “But I kind of enjoyed that experience a little bit, got to stay out of the way of Malone's wrath.
“But yeah, the most important thing is I felt protected, could communicate easily with the coaches, the players, could see the game, felt just as involved as I normally am except for obviously not up working the sideline, no interaction with the referees — which was probably a blessing,” Finch said. “And Micah did a phenomenal job. He's really, really good at game management anyway.”
Gobert, a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, turned in a workman-like 6 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks and a steal in the Timberwolves' 106-99 Game 1 win at Denver Saturday. He is an essential part of the defensive effort against reigning league MVP Nikola Jokic, along with fellow big men Karl-Anthony Townes and Naz Reid.
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