It became official less than an hour before the Timberwolves’ game against San Antonio on Sunday night at Target Center.
After missing 10 games because of a lower-back issue, big Wolves center Rudy Gobert returned to action, returned to the starting lineup and returned to a team that found an offensive rhythm in his absence.
The Wolves won their fifth consecutive game, 141-124 over a Spurs team playing without Victor Wembanyama, moving into a tie with Golden State for sixth in the NBA’s Western Conference.
Before the game Wolves coach Chris Finch said Gobert’s return would mean a readjustment would be needed. Not Sunday. Despite early foul trouble, Gobert scored 16 points with eight rebounds in 20 minutes.
And the Wolves offense hummed from start to finish in this game. Minnesota shot 55.8% overall and made 21 of 42 three-pointers while scoring a season high in points. The Wolves (37-29) got double-figure scoring from Gobert, Anthony Edwards (25), Jaden McDaniels (16), Julius Randle (14), Naz Reid (20), Mike Conley (13), Donte DiVincenzo (17) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (10).
And they needed it, because the Wolves struggled to guard the undermanned Spurs. San Antonio shot 55.3% themselves and got to the free-throw line 24 times. But a 15-6 run to end the third quarter turned a game that was a little close for comfort into an easy win.