Timberwolves vs Nuggets game 1 injury report: Will Rudy Gobert play?
When the Timberwolves meet the Nuggets on Sunday for the opening game of their 2023 NBA playoffs campaign, they will do so without one of their best.
As they prepare to face the top seed in the conference, the team from Minnesota is faced with the reality that one of their best players won’t be on the court after he was ruled out with a back problem.
Rudy Gobert set to miss opener against the Nuggets
According to reports, the Minnesota Timberwolves will head to Colorado for Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets knowing that they will have to face the challenge without one of their stars, Rudy Gobert. To be clear, this has nothing to do with the Frenchman’s recent suspension after he punched teammate, Kyle Anderson, instead the news comes as a result of back soreness.
For their first time in years, the Denver #Nuggets will finally enter the NBA playoffs with a clean bill of health.
— Joel Rush (@JoelRushNBA) April 16, 2023
Zero players on their injury report.
For the #Wolves, Rudy Gobert (back spasms) & Jaylen Nowell are questionable, and Jaden McDaniels & Naz Reid are out. pic.twitter.com/zZpJzXMcSw
Gobert, a three-time All-Star who has averaged 13.4 points, 11.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.4 blocks per game across 70, has been listed as questionable. Indeed, it’s on the back of the former Utah Jazz star’s performances that the T’Wolves have managed to salvage an otherwise disappointing season which they ended on a record of 42-40. Aside from Gobert, Jaylen Nowell has also been listed as questionable, while both Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels have been ruled out.
The Nuggets are favored but they’re are some injury doubts
Denver comes into the series as the clear favorites after a season in which they went 53-29 on the way to clinching the top seed in the conference. To be clear, the Nuggets are 34-7 at home which means the Timberwolves definitely have their work cut out for them. On the other hand, it’s got to be said that for all their promise and potential Nikola Jokic and Co. are yet to deliver are their promise. Can they overcome their postseason hump this year? Time will tell. As for injuries, the Nuggets haven’t ruled out anyone, but it’s got to be said that they’ve got a few listed as questionable. From the said same Jokic, to Jeff Green, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.