Rudy Gobert Leaves Jazz-Timberwolves Game Early, Ruled Out Due To Injury
Jan 16, 2023, 2:48 PM | Updated: Jan 17, 2023, 9:56 am
SALT LAKE CITY – Former Jazzman Rudy Gobert exited early in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinee between the Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves and was ruled out from returning because of an injury.
The T-Wolves hosted the Jazz at Target Center on Monday, January 16.
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In the first half, Gobert was ruled out from returning against the Jazz.
Rudy Gobert has officially been ruled out for the remainder of the game against the @utahjazz. #TakeNote | @Timberwolves
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 16, 2023
With 7:02 remaining in the opening quarter, Gobert checked out of the game and went to the bench. During the first five minutes of action, Gobert appeared to be bothered by a groin injury he suffered during Minnesota’s win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 14.
Gobert sat down on the bench, rubbed his leg, and had a massage gun in his other hand. After a minute, the former Jazzman got up and went to the locker room.
Rudy Gobert is headed back to the locker room as he fusses with his right leg.
Meanwhile, the @Timberwolves have taken a 13-11 lead midway through the first quarter. #takenote pic.twitter.com/WjhjTWASuD
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 16, 2023
During his 4:58 on the court against his old team, Gobert had two points on 1-1 field goals. He added two rebounds.
Rudy's gonna Rudy 🤷♂️
⭐️ » https://t.co/z1SUydWpml pic.twitter.com/SVd85fKOTW
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) January 16, 2023
This season, the three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year is averaging 13.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 0.9 steals per contest.
catching up with the bros pic.twitter.com/SjFcZaRk1m
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) January 16, 2023
Utah’s game against Minnesota is broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and KSL Sports Zone.
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Jazz vs. Timberwolves
After losing to the Philadelphia 76ers, the Jazz travel to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves after their win over the Cavaliers.
The Timberwolves have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA to start the new year after a difficult close to December.
Minnesota had lost six straight to close the month but has responded by winning six of their last seven to open the year.
Gobert had been a critical piece in the team’s sudden success averaging 14.7 points and 12.3 rebounds during the stretch.
The former Jazz center’s status for the game will be worth watching after suffering a groin injury against the Cavaliers.
LISTEN LIVE: The @utahjazz are in Minnesota for an MLK matinee against the @Timberwolves on https://t.co/4kU961UAvR and the @KSLSportsZone.#TakeNote https://t.co/nA7X1goZif pic.twitter.com/LY82rxkjpZ
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 16, 2023
The game could have playoff implications as the Jazz entered the contest trailing the Timberwolves by one game in the Western Conference standings. Minnesota owned the sixth seed in the West after Saturday’s win, but was tied with the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers in the standings.
The Jazz and Timberwolves have split their first two games of the season with each team winning on the other’s home floor.
The teams last met on December 9 in a 118-108 Timberwolves victory. The game ended in controversy after Gobert’s last-second layup with the game already in hand rubbed some players on the Jazz the wrong way.
