Rudy Gobert delivered a raw assessment of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Game 4 response after their 114-109 win over the San Antonio Spurs, focusing on physicality, rebounding, and late-game execution at Target Center on Sunday in Minneapolis.
Speaking after the series-tying victory against the Spurs, Gobert broke down the fourth-quarter comeback when Minnesota erased an eight-point deficit behind a dominant closing stretch from Anthony Edwards and strong interior play.
“I think we just need to do a better job offensively and defensively. Just running back in transition, rebounding, guarding pick and roll, and offensively just moving the ball, making the right play,” Gobert said when asked about the turnaround.
Minnesota struggled with control early, including turnovers and transition lapses, but regrouped as the game tightened in the final minutes. Gobert emphasized that the solution was not tactical complexity, but execution and effort.
“When he got off the game, they have a lot of guards that are really like when they saw me talking about the game, they said okay, now it’s my turn. So they were really aggressive. They would try to run even more. We could sense that,” Gobert said, referring to the Spurs’ response after the ejection of Victor Wembanyama.
San Antonio leaned heavily on its guard rotation after Wembanyama’s exit, with De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper keeping pressure on Minnesota’s perimeter defense. Gobert acknowledged the adjustment required in real time.
“And Kornet was setting really good screens. So it just forced us to play a different kind of basketball. We knew it was going to be tough with or without Victor and I’m proud of the way we stuck with it,” he said.
The French center also addressed the elbow sequence involving Naz Reid, who absorbed contact but returned to help finish the game with key rebounds and scoring plays.
“Naz is a warrior. He sprains ankles and takes elbows but he plays through everything. That’s the mindset that we have as a team,” Gobert said.
Reid finished with 15 points and nine rebounds, including a crucial offensive rebound late that helped stabilize Minnesota’s lead in the final minute.
Gobert also highlighted Reid’s overall impact beyond the box score.
“I thought he played some really good winning basketball tonight on both ends. He was locked in. When they brought the double, for the most part, he did a great job just making the easy simple play,” Gobert said.
The Timberwolves leaned heavily on physical screens, a theme Gobert revisited when comparing different playoff matchups.
“I think it’s important against every team and every team guards differently. Denver was one type of defense. Now the Spurs have a different type of defense,” he said, referencing earlier postseason matchups.
He continued by explaining the value of screening as a structural advantage generator.
“We know we might not get the same shots that we got against Denver. Now we’re going to get different shots, but there’s always something to get,” Gobert said.
Late-game chemistry between Gobert and Julius Randle also stood out, particularly on a decisive pick-and-roll sequence in the final minute.
“That was amazing because we haven’t found that a lot this series. For him to trust me and find it with one minute left in a very close game, that was huge,” Gobert said.
He added that collective trust defines Minnesota’s ceiling.
“When we trust one another and make the right play, it takes us to a different level collectively,” he said.
Gobert also addressed the physical identity of the roster and how it translates in playoff basketball.
“Size matters. I’m sorry, but it’s true. Yes, size matters. Down the stretch in the basketball game, no matter what, you need to rebound, you need to contest shots,” Gobert said.
The series now shifts to Game 5, with both teams tied and momentum split after another high-intensity finish shaped by turnovers, interior battles, and late-game execution.
“We have a resilient group of guys. No matter the circumstances, we’re going to keep fighting,” Gobert said. “That’s who we are.”
