Rudy Gobert had emotional reaction to Timberwolves’ Game 2 win

Nov 9, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) dribbles the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the second quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Timberwolves put together perhaps their most impressive performance of the season on Monday, beating the Denver Nuggets on the road 106-80 to go up 2-0 in the Western Conference semifinals. Even more impressively, they managed it without Rudy Gobert, who was away from the team for the birth of his first child.

Gobert admitted he had become emotional watching the end of the game as he held his baby when he addressed the media Wednesday.

“It was incredible,” Gobert said, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “I was exhausted, obviously, holding the baby and watching the game at the same time, but I had a little bit of emotions at the end because it felt like there was something special.

“Their energy that they put in, their focus that they had, the determination. I don’t know, there was something special with the way they came out. And not just the way they came out, the way they played for 48 minutes that night. It was an incredible day. It was incredible way to end the day for me and obviously for the whole.”

Even without their defensive anchor, the Timberwolves were so dominant that they had the Nuggets losing their cool during the game. They are going home with a 2-0 lead and in total control of the series, and will have Gobert back for Game 3.