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Rudy Gobert added to Wolves' injury report ahead of Thunder matchup

Gobert is listed as questionable with lower back spasms.
Will Ragatz|
Feb 8, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) dunks against the Portland Trail Blazers late in the fourth quarter at Target Center.
Feb 8, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) dunks against the Portland Trail Blazers late in the fourth quarter at Target Center. | Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

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Minnesota Timberwolves

Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has been added to the team's injury report ahead of Thursday night's showdown with the NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder. Gobert is listed as questionable with lower back spasms after experiencing some discomfort during Wednesday night's loss to the Bucks.

Guards Anthony Edwards (right hip soreness) and Mike Conley (right index finger strain) are also questionable. Edwards has played through the injury over the last two games and figures to do so again in this one, while Conley seems likely to miss a fourth consecutive contest. This is Minnesota's final game before the All-Star break, which could factor into the decision-making.

Gobert is averaging 11 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks this season. If he doesn't play, the Wolves — who remain without Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo — would be down to Naz Reid and Luka Garza in the frontcourt. In that scenario, they might even need to play reserves Leonard Miller or Josh Minott just to have some additional size off the bench. Not having Gobert would be a big issue against the Thunder, who boast Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren in their frontcourt.

'Consistency. That's all we ask:' Gobert frustrated with officiating in loss to Bucks

Obviously, a potential absence for Edwards would also be highly problematic. They'll need their best player available to have a shot against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and the rest of Oklahoma City's loaded roster. Unless Conley plays, the Wolves' trio of rookies — Jaylen Clark, Rob Dillingham, and Terrence Shannon Jr. — all figure to remain in the rotation. Shannon set career highs in points (11), rebounds (5), and assists (6) in 20 minutes in Wednesday night's loss to the Bucks.

Both teams are on the second night of a back-to-back in this one. The Thunder were down ten points entering the fourth quarter against the Heat last night, then opened the final period on a 24-0 run and won by 14. They've won seven in a row.

Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m. CT tonight at Target Center, and the game will be nationally televised on TNT. The Thunder are 8.5-point road favorites. These two teams will play twice more on consecutive days shortly after the All-Star break (Feb. 23 in MN, Feb. 24 in OKC).

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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.

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