NBA – The Thunder beaten, Rudy Gobert’s awakening with the Wolves praised

Par Mathieu Seguin | Rédacteur sport

In front of their home crowd in an ultra-important game, the Wolves got the job done this Saturday against the Thunder, with an excellent Rudy Gobert. The Frenchman’s reawakening was a major one, and was hailed by Internet users.

The Wolves were perhaps playing for their survival this Saturday night in the Western Conference Finals. Finding themselves at 0-3 against the Thunder wasn’t the best idea in the world, so Chris Finch’s men got the job done with a comprehensive 143-101 victory in Game 3. A total rout for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his team-mates.

Minnesota quickly made the difference in this game and were never troubled at the finish. An important match that gave Anthony Edwards and his partners a great deal of confidence. But watch out for Oklahoma City, who will be out to break the deadlock in Game 4.

Rudy Gobert praised for his performance

But Rudy Gobert’s performance will also be remembered. 7 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals for the Frenchman, who was decisive on defense for his team. And when he’s on form, the Timberwolves are immediately much better, as this sequence on SGA’s defense shows.

Rudy Gobert strips the ball from SGA and earns free throws on the other end 🍪 pic.twitter.com/d8eUxCvsSO

— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 25, 2025

Gobert set the tone in the first quarter, and when it was all over, that’s all Minnesota needed to make their mark. A perfect response in Game 3, and a necessary one if they are to dream of the grand final in a few weeks’ time.

The series is still far from over, but let’s not forget that Minnesota will also have to win Game 4 to avoid finding itself in a difficult situation. One journalist nevertheless praised the Frenchman’s fine performance:

@JonKrawczynski : “Under the radar tonight: A really, really good game from Rudy Gobert on defense. Just a menace out there. That’s what they need from him.”