Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert explains downfall during ‘incredible’ Nikola Jokic Game 5 performance

The Minnesota Timberwolves have their backs against the wall late in the second round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. The Timberwolves lost 112-97 to the Denver Nuggets in Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinal. Rudy Gobert did all he could to stop Denver’s offensive juggernaut Nikola J0kic, but Jokic prevailed. Gobert explained Minnesota’s downfall in the challenging matchup.

Nikola Jokic ended Wednesday night’s game with 40 points, 13 assists, and seven rebounds. His offense flowed seamlessly, and he was able to carry Denver to victory. The Timberwolves had trouble stopping him the entire game, and Rudy Gobert revealed that being unable to slow him hurt Minnesota’s morale.

“The second half, we got a little too demoralized and we can’t have that,” Gobert said, per The Athletic. “I think we have to be mentally tough, individually and collectively, to be able to keep playing our game and not let anything that happened in the game affect the way we play and the way we … affect our confidence and the way we compete.”

Gobert stressed that Minnesota cannot get down on themselves, especially when guarding a three-time MVP. Jokic went 15-22 from the field and was 2-3 on three-pointers. Despite heavy resistance, it seemed like nothing Gobert and the Timberwolves did could affect the star center.

“He was in the zone,” Gobert added. “I mean, a couple of shots that I think I actually blocked and the ball went in. It was just incredible in that quarter. He put the team on his back and he was making everything.”

Rudy Gobert and the Timberwolves have a steep challenge ahead of them as they look to even up the series in Game 6. With the right adjustments, they can make it harder for Jokic and regain momentum.

Timberwolves have the right tools to slow Nikola Jokic, Nuggets 

Game 5 was not the only time Minnesota failed to slow Jokic’s offensive attack. The star Nuggets center scored 35 points and notched seven assists in Game 4. Head coach Chris Finch admitted that finding a solution has been challenging.

“He had an MVP, best-player-in-the-world performance. We tried to do a bit of everything on him. He had it all going. We didn’t have answers for him and honestly, we haven’t had a great one the last couple of games,” Finch said.

Jokic is one of the most unstoppable postseason forces, but the Timberwolves have the tools to stop him. Minnesota played stout defense in their first two wins of the series. The team needs to find a way to regain their defensive edge and take Jokic out of his element.

Rudy Gobert knows that his assignment is not easy, but there is arguably no better center in the NBA to guard Jokic than him. Gobert won his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award after the 2023-24 regular season. The 7’1″ center has the length and skill necessary to make a stand.

Gobert does not have to be alone either. He has help from Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaden McDaniels. If the T-Wolves defense can lock in, they will have a chance to win Game 6 and keep fighting.