Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has been added to the team’s injury report ahead of Thursday night’s showdown with the NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder. Gobert is listed as questionable with lower back spasms after experiencing some discomfort during Wednesday night’s loss to the Bucks.
Guards Anthony Edwards (right hip soreness) and Mike Conley (right index finger strain) are also questionable. Edwards has played through the injury over the last two games and figures to do so again in this one, while Conley seems likely to miss a fourth consecutive contest. This is Minnesota’s final game before the All-Star break, which could factor into the decision-making.
Gobert is averaging 11 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks this season. If he doesn’t play, the Wolves — who remain without Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo — would be down to Naz Reid and Luka Garza in the frontcourt. In that scenario, they might even need to play reserves Leonard Miller or Josh Minott just to have some additional size off the bench. Not having Gobert would be a big issue against the Thunder, who boast Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren in their frontcourt.
‘Consistency. That’s all we ask:’ Gobert frustrated with officiating in loss to Bucks
