Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert will miss Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals on Monday night in Denver due to personal reasons.
Gobert, 31, left the Timberwolves to attend the birth of his child Monday morning and was not able to make it back to Denver in time for the playoff game against the Nuggets. Gobert had announced on social media several months ago that he and his girlfriend, Julia Bonilla, were expecting their first child together.
“There was definitely consideration and we looked at the timing of it all and I think just the timing of his circumstances, plus some weather made it really tough,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said before the game. “And it didn’t feel like he really was going to be able to get here and be prepared to play.”
According to the Denver Post, more than 1,100 flights were delayed or canceled at Denver International Airport on Monday as severe wind gusts led to unsafe flying conditions.
Kyle Anderson slotted into the starting lineup for the Timberwolves, who lead the series 1-0.
Gobert contributed six points, 13 rebounds, three blocks and three assists in Minnesota’s 106-99 win on Saturday in the opener of the Western Conference semifinal series.
The three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and three-time All-Star averaged 14.0 points, 12.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 76 games (all starts) during the regular season.
The 7-foot-1 Gobert has career averages of 12.7 points, 11.8 boards and 2.1 blocks in 757 games (665 starts) for the Utah Jazz (2013-22) and Timberwolves.
–Field Level Media
