Rudy Gobert dominates in Wolves win over Spurs

Gobert scored 16 points and picked up 21 rebounds as Wolves improve to 16-4

© Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

The Wolves, fueled by a monster night from Rudy Gobert, showed their grit Wednesday in an at times ugly 102-94 win over the San Antonio Spurs.

Gobert was dominant in the second half as he finished the night with 16 points and 21 rebounds in the Wolves' 16th win of the season.

Minnesota and San Antonio went back and forth in the opening quarter with each team struggling to put the ball in the net, the Spurs were 0-3 from deep in the first quarter.

Gobert got into early foul trouble, collecting his third with 9:37 left in the second quarter. With Gobert relegated to the bench for a large stretch of the second, the Spurs outscored the Wolves 32-24 in the paint. San Antonio finished the first half with a 53-46 lead despite their rookie star Victor Wembanyama only scoring six points.

Chris Finch's halftime adjustments paid off with immediate effect as the Wolves scored the first nine points of the second half to retake the lead. But they were unable to create any separation from the Spurs, entering the fourth quarter tied at 71.

Minnesota started to pull away in the middle of the fourth quarter with a dominant 16-2 run that opened up a 12-point lead.

NAZ. REID. pic.twitter.com/t0osOb8OcL

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) December 7, 2023

Anthony Edwards returned after missing two games with a hip injury. The young star was noticeably grabbing his hip multiple times throughout the game and struggled, shooting just 4-16 ending the night with 17 points

Minnesota open up a three-game road trip Friday night in Memphis, with tip off set for 7 p.m.