DENVER — Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert said there was a “night and day” difference between how his back felt during Game 1 of Minnesota’s first-round playoff series against the Nuggets on Sunday versus the way it felt on Wednesday ahead of Game 2 in Denver.
“Still not 100 (percent), but it’s much better,” he said.
Even better, Gobert said, than how it felt during Minnesota’s play-in victory Friday, when he tallied 21 points and 10 boards against the smaller Thunder.
“Friday was not good,” Gobert said. “It was just (that it hurt) moving more than anything. Being able to, also I feel like finishing through contact (was painful), especially Friday. That’s when I felt like every time I was touched, it was hurting.
“Now I’m good. Now I’m better, so it’s exciting to see the sunshine again.”
That’s encouraging news for the Timberwolves. Because a hampered Gobert frankly isn’t nearly as dangerous as a healthy one, and rightfully so. But there’s a case to be made that, while struggling with his back, the center was harmful to Minnesota’s cause during its regular season finale against New Orleans and again in Game 1 against Denver.
If his back isn’t right, Gobert isn’t mobile enough to defend, score at the rim or run the floor with any sense of urgency. If he’s not effective enough to be a threat, it’s hard to find reasons for him to be on the floor.
That isn’t an issue on days like Wednesday, when Gobert clearly felt good to go at tipoff and proceeded to tally 19 points and eight rebounds in Game 2, while containing Denver star center Nikola Jokic.
But the center noted after Sunday’s loss that he knew Game 1 “was going to be tough” because Minnesota only had one day off — a travel day, no less — after beating the Thunder.
Well, that’s the same scenario Minnesota and its center will find itself in for Game 3, as well as potentially in Game 5, Game 6 and Game 7. The extra time off between Game 1 and Game 2 is an anomaly during the condensed postseason slate. Travel, play, travel, play is the traditional playoff cadence.
So unless the work done during the two days off in Denver entirely resolved Gobert’s back issues, it may be difficult for the Timberwolves to count on him moving forward in this series. Yes, he will almost certainly suit up and give it a go, but playing the guessing game on his level of effectiveness heading into each contest.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch noted Minnesota has been “pretty good” at adjusting on a moment’s notice this season. Swapping out Gobert in the starting lineup for Naz Reid was a seamless transition during the regular season. But Reid is currently out with a broken wrist.
“We’re pretty good at understanding what life looks like without him,” Finch said. “We don’t have that many options around him.”
Not at the moment, anyway. That’s likely part of the reason Finch said regardless of whether Gobert is going at 70 percent, “I always plan on him playing unless I get a hard no.”
But if Gobert gets out there and is clearly struggling with his mobility, Finch said that causes the team’s pick-and-roll coverages to change, as well as rotations.
CallL of Duty
Mike Conley got an unexpected callout during Phoenix’s postgame press conference after the Suns’ Game 2 victory over the L.A. Clippers on Tuesday.
Devin Booker was asked about emotions coming off Phoenix’s disappointing Game 1 defeat.
“It’s never a good feeling,” Booker said. “But yeah, I just got on Call of Duty and blew some steam off.”
Devin Booker said he blew off steam after Game 1 by playing Call of Duty.@CP3: "That's all they do." 😂 pic.twitter.com/J2dz0gtyor
— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) April 19, 2023
Phoenix point guard Chris Paul was sitting right next to Booker, and immediately commented, “that’s all they do. That’s all they do is play Call of Duty.”
“Forget what Mike Conley said, man,” Booker responded. “We’ve gotta play.”
Booker was referring to Conley’s comments after Minnesota’s play-in victory over Oklahoma City, when the veteran point guard noted the importance of paying extra attention to the tiny details this time of year.
“You can’t just go home and play video games,” Conley said. “This is the time to do the extra work.”
About a minute later, Karl-Anthony Towns entered the press conference room and asked Conley if he’d been hitting the sticks after the game.
“That’s our generation,” Booker said.
