After being laughed at, Rudy Gobert comes through 'when it mattered most'

Center had airballed a free throw earlier in the Wolves' game against Clippers.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook got a kick out of Rudy Gobert airballing a free throw during Sunday night’s game against the Timberwolves at Target Center.

In a video posted on social media, Westbrook had a fan give him the play-by-play after Gobert missed his first free throw attempt, which was also nowhere near the hoop. Westbrook, who was turned away from the basket, started laughing when the fan told him that Gobert had missed the second attempt, too.

Russell Westbrook's reaction to Rudy Gobert airballing a free throw LMAOOO https://t.co/ricOuntHgW

— BronMuse (@BronMuse) January 15, 2024

In the end though, it was Gobert who would get the last laugh. The Clippers started hacking him late as they made a furious fourth-quarter push as they worked to whittle down the 16-point deficit with under five minutes to play. 

A Norman Powell 3-pointer made it a 103-100 ballgame with 1 minute, 10 seconds remaining. Westbrook fouled Gobert on the other end.

Moment of truth.

Gobert hit both free throws to push the Wolves’ lead back to five. After the Wolves got a stop on the defensive end, Gobert was fouled once again.

The result: two more makes from the line that essentially iced the game for the Timberwolves.

“(Gobert) looked confident, and when they left the hand — from the side — great arc, so all credit to him for stepping up after not having the greatest night from the free-throw line,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “But he made ‘em when it mattered most and that’s what counts.” 

Gobert started 1 of 6 at the free throw line and he ended the game 7 of 14 from the charity stripe. 

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) talks with the officials in the third quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Target Center in Minneapolis on Jan. 12, 2024 :: Matt Blewett / USA TODAY Sports