Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards fires message at Rudy Gobert haters after epic Nikola Jokic battle

Rudy Gobert has faced his fair share of criticism throughout his 13-year NBA career. His offensive shortcomings and occasional defensive breakdown when caught in an iso serve as fuel for his detractors. However, Gobert’s Minnesota Timberwolves teammates know his value to their championship pursuit.

Anthony Edwards made that clear following the Timberwolves’ 119-114 Game 2 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday.

“We’re half the team when Rudy’s on the bench,” Edwards said. “Everybody’s gonna say this about Rudy. He’s this. He’s that. They don’t understand what he means to us when he’s on the floor. People don’t want to lay the ball up around him. People just don’t want to go at Rudy. Regardless of what they say about him on the offensive end of the floor, he’s a four-time Defensive Player of the Year for a reason. He’s been doing it at a high level for a long time, and we need him on the floor.”

Gobert was a non-factor offensively during the win, scoring two points on 1-of-4 shooting. However, his defensive performance against Nikola Jokic down the stretch proved to be the difference.

Anthony Edwards fires back at Rudy Gobert doubters follwing Game 2 win over Nuggets

After getting in foul trouble early, Gobert held Jokic to 1-of-7 shooting in the fourth quarter. The Timberwolves won the final frame 29-21 to secure a comeback win and even the series at 1-1.

Edwards said he challenged Gobert entering the game-deciding period.

“I told him we ain’t bringing no double team. You’re going to guard [Jokic] one-on-one all night and stop fouling,” Edwards said of the interaction.

While Jokic finished with 28 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists, his late-game struggles will be Denver’s main storyline following the loss. Jokic looked indecisive while being guarded by Gobert as the Nuggets struggled to generate offense in the closing minutes.

“[Rudy’s] making me make tough shots,” Jokic said. “He’s big, long, he can reach the ball from any kind of angle or position. He’s a really good defensive player.”

Gobert didn’t view his fourth-quarter defense on the three-time MVP as anything out of the ordinary.

“[I was] just competing. Competing, making him work for everything, and just being myself,” he said.

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