rudy gobert is at the center of Minnesota’s answer after a painful Game 1 in the NBA Playoffs, where the Timberwolves stayed close before a third-quarter collapse left them down 0-1 in the series. Jaden McDaniels said the Timberwolves’ path against Denver runs through rudy gobert and his ability to handle Nikola Jokic. The message is simple: if Gobert keeps bringing the same level of pressure, Minnesota believes it can turn the series.
McDaniels points to Gobert as the difference
The Timberwolves forward made his case plainly, describing the matchup as one built around the big men. He said, “It’s all Rudy. Rudy did a good job the whole game just guarding and taking the challenge. That’s what we need every time we play against Jokić, just Rudy coming to compete. That’s the best game we’ve had from Rudy this year. He keeps doing that, we’re going to win. ”
That view frames the series in direct terms: Denver brings an offensive force in Nikola Jokic, while Minnesota is leaning on Gobert’s defense and physical presence to slow him down. Game 1 gave the Timberwolves reason to believe the plan can work, even if the final result did not go their way.
What Gobert did in Game 1
Gobert’s impact showed up in several ways. He helped keep Jokic from getting comfortable on the perimeter, and the Timberwolves limited the Denver star to two made shots on seven attempts from deep. Gobert also forced a steal and finished with 10 rebounds, while Jokic was pushed into defending him frequently.
On offense, Gobert was highly efficient, making 89% of his shots from the field and scoring 17 points. Still, there were clear areas Minnesota will want to clean up. He made only one free throw despite going to the line five times, and his three turnovers were costly enough to matter in a tight playoff game.
Why the Timberwolves keep coming back to rudy gobert
The big-man battle is not just a subplot here; it is the series. Minnesota’s confidence in rudy gobert reflects how important his role is against a Denver team built around Jokic’s skill and control. The Timberwolves need Gobert to repeat the level he showed in Game 1 if they want to even the series.
For Minnesota, that means the next game is less about changing the whole approach and more about sustaining the effort that worked in stretches. The challenge is clear: keep Jokic uncomfortable, protect the paint, and limit the mistakes that opened the door in Game 1.
What comes next
The Timberwolves now move into Game 2 with their focus sharpened around one question: can rudy gobert deliver another game like the one McDaniels praised? Minnesota knows the margin is thin, and the first-round series may swing on whether Gobert can repeat that level of resistance against Jokic. If he does, the Timberwolves believe they will have the formula to answer back.
