Is Rudy Gobert playing tonight? Latest injury update for Timberwolves vs. Thunder
By Ian Levy
The Timberwolves season is on the edge of collapse. Will Rudy Gobert be available to help them try to save it against the Thunder?
The Timberwolves are only guaranteed one more game this season. They’ll need to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder at home tonight to secure the No. 8 seed and advance to the playoffs. They’re in this back-against-the-wall scenario for a variety of reasons — their offense struggled all season, getting worked on the glass and turning the ball over at one of the highest rates in the league. Karl-Anthony Towns missed months recovering from a calf injury. The fit with Rudy Gobert wasn’t as seamless as they hoped.
But, in a more narrow sense, they’re in this position because they lost an overtime game to the Lakers in the opening round of the Play-In Tournament. And they were without Gobert in that game because he was serving a one-game suspension for punching teammate Kyle Anderson during an argument on the bench in the last regular-season game of the season.
Will Rudy Gobert be available to play against the Thunder?
Gobert’s suspension is over but that doesn’t mean he’ll actually be on the court. As of Thursday afternoon, he was still dealing with back spasms and head coach Chris Finch wasn’t sure if he’d be ready to go.
Chris Finch said Rudy Gobert is still going through some things with the back spasms. Status uncertain for tomorrow but they hope he can go.
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) April 13, 2023
Gobert is listed as questionable on the NBA’s official injury report and we mot have clarity until game time. Of equal concern is Anthony Edward’s shoulder which was healthy enough to play with against the Lakers but clearly bothered him as he repeatedly avoided contact around the rim and missed all nine of his 3-pointers.
The Thunder have a ton of advanced offensive creators and the Timberwolves could really use a defensive anchor to help control the middle of the floor. But even if he is healthy enough to go, it may not be enough to save Minnesota’s season.
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