All Timberwolves

Watch: Edwards, Gobert banter in Wolves' locker room about game-winners

Gobert would like to remind everyone that he has, in fact, hit a buzzer-beater in his career.
Will Ragatz|
Oct 16, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) reacts with guard Anthony Edwards (5) during the first half of an NBA game against the Chicago Bulls at United Center.
Oct 16, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) reacts with guard Anthony Edwards (5) during the first half of an NBA game against the Chicago Bulls at United Center. | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

In this story:

Minnesota Timberwolves

Following Julius Randle's game-winning three at the buzzer against the Suns this weekend, Rudy Gobert was asked about what that moment must've meant for one of the newest Timberwolves. After all, before Randle and Donte DiVincenzo came to Minnesota in the deal for Karl-Anthony Towns, Gobert was once the big-name newcomer who arrived via blockbuster trade. A couple years ago, he had to go through the process of settling in with a new team and earning the respect of the fan base.

"What do you think it meant for Julius to have that moment?" asked The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski. "New guy here, still getting acclimated and settled in, you know what that feels like, just to have that moment."

That's when Anthony Edwards chimed in from nearby in the locker room. "Rudy don't know what that feels like!" he said.

"I had a game-winner in 20... Mike (Conley), tell him I got a game-winner, man," Gobert replied, while Ant continued to needle him from a few feet away. "I got a game-winner in 2017. A tip-in."

It's true! Gobert scored a tip-in at the buzzer to beat the Kings in March of 2017. Conley was still on the Grizzlies at the time, so Gobert should've asked Joe Ingles — who was on the court at that moment — to help him out with Edwards.

Gobert technically does know what it's like to score a game-winner. He also has had plenty of big moments in front of Minnesota fans at the Target Center. But Ant was also correct in the sense that Gobert doesn't know what it's like to hit a step-back three for the win. Not many do.

"Step-back? Yeah, I don't know what that feel like," Gobert said.

"No, but that's amazing," he added, attempting to finally answer Krawczynski's question. "That's amazing for him. He works really hard. We trust him in those moments, and to be able to do it ...

Ant wasn't done interjecting. "Do you trust me in those moments?" he asked.

"I'm not sure yet," Gobert jokingly replied.

"Man, I always, they double me, I hit him in the pocket," Edwards said. "He still don't trust me, that's crazy. My own big man."

"You gotta earn it, sac," Gobert said with a smile.

The 8-6 Wolves are back in action against the Raptors on Thursday.

Published
Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

Share on XFollow WillRagatz
Home/Minnesota Timberwolves News