Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert hopes to return for must-win game vs. Oklahoma City
The Wolves won three of four games against the Thunder during the regular season.
April 14, 2023 at 1:07AM
NBA Western Conference play-in game: Winner gets the No. 8 seed and will play Denver in a first-round, best-of-seven playoff series; loser's season ends.
About the Thunder: Oklahoma City seemed to be in full rebuild mode, especially after the No. 2 overall pick, Chet Holmgren, missed the entire season because of a foot injury. But it made the play-in as the 10th place finisher in the West at 40-42, and beat host New Orleans 123-118 on Wednesday. ... G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was fourth in the NBA in scoring (31.4) and G Josh Giddey led the team in rebounding (7.9) and assists (6.2). ... This is likely just the beginning of a long Thunder run; they'll get Holmgren back next season, and have an incredible 15 first-round picks in the next five drafts. ... F Kenrich Williams (wrist) is out.
About the Wolves: They won three of four meetings with the Thunder during the regular season. ... After finishing 42-20, the Wolves lost Tuesday's play-in game against the Los Angeles Lakers to force a do-or-die. ... G Anthony Edwards (24.6) and C Karl-Anthony Towns (20.8) led the team in scoring. ... C Rudy Gobert (11.6 rebounds per game) returns after a one-game suspension for taking a swing at teammate Kyle Anderson in the regular-season finale, but has been dealing with back spasms. ... C Naz Reid (wrist) and F Jaden McDaniels (hand) are out.
Naz Reid led the Wolves with 25 points off the bench, Anthony Edwards added 21, and Minnesota made sure Charlotte didn’t leave Target Center with another victory.
