Rudy Gobert confirms 'big metal piece' almost crushed him at Target Center

Gobert was nearly hit by a large piece of metal that fell from the ceiling at Target Center.
Jan 27, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves mascot Crunch holds an umbrella over center Rudy Gobert (27) during his interview after a game with the Atlanta Hawks at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
Jan 27, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves mascot Crunch holds an umbrella over center Rudy Gobert (27) during his interview after a game with the Atlanta Hawks at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images / Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Is Rudy Gobert lucky to be alive?

That might be a bit of a stretch, but he was almost struck by a big piece of metal that fell from above during the Timberwolves-Hawks game inside Target Center on Monday night.

Gobert, who finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds in the win, was walking back towards the bench at the end of the first quarter when a large object came crashing to the hardwood from above. It narrowly missed Gobert, who described it during a postgame radio interview as a "big metal piece."

"I almost got hit," Gobert said during an interview with Alan Horton on the Timberwolves Radio Network. "Two steps in front and I was probably going to the emergency room."

Gobert and the Timberwolves face the Phoenix Suns on the road Wednesday. The game tips off at 8:10 p.m. CT.

Subscribe to our free YouTube channel for fresh Timberwolves content


Published
Joe Nelson
JOE NELSON

Joe Nelson has more than 20 years of experience in Minnesota sports journalism. Nelson began his career in sports radio, working at smaller stations in Marshall and St. Cloud before moving to the highly-rated KFAN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. While there, he produced the popular mid-morning show hosted by Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen. His time in radio laid the groundwork for his transition to sports writing in 2011. He covers the Vikings, Timberwolves, Gophers and Twins for On SI.