“Jokic is throwing him around like a rag doll” - Charles Barkley demands Wolves to sit Rudy Gobert after abysmal first half
NBA legend Charles Barkley advised the Minnesota Timberwolves to bench this year’s Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) Rudy Gobert, as he struggled to contain MVP Nikola Jokic in the first half of their decisive Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets.
On Inside the NBA, Barkley commented that Jokic was dominating the DPOY, describing it as "ragdolling."
"They gotta take Gobert out the game…Joker is just throwing him around like a damn ragdoll, first and foremost."
In the first half, Jokic delivered an MVP-caliber performance, recording 13 points, 15 rebounds and five assists while primarily being guarded by Gobert.
Meanwhile, Rudy Gobert, playing 19 minutes in the first half, scored three points and had a plus/minus of minus-8.
The Nuggets led at the half, 53-38.
Despite facing significant criticism, Rudy Gobert has been crucial against the Denver Nuggets. In Game 6 of the 2024 Western Conference Semifinals, the Nuggets scored their fewest points in a playoff game, managing only 70 in a 45-point loss to the Timberwolves.
According to StatMuse, only three teams in history have held the Jokic-led Nuggets to 80 points or fewer in a playoff game, and all three teams included Rudy Gobert.
Rudy Gobert bounces back as Timberwolves hold Nuggets to just 37 points in 2nd half
The Minnesota Timberwolves rallied in the second half, overcoming a 20-point deficit to secure an eight-point victory, eliminating the Denver Nuggets and advancing to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in two decades.
Rudy Gobert contributed 13 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. While Nikola Jokic posted an impressive 34 points, 19 rebounds, and seven assists, Gobert's defense was crucial against the MVP, who played all but one minute.
The game was a tale of two halves: the Nuggets, who scored 54 points in the first half, were limited to 37 points in the second half. Conversely, the Timberwolves, who managed only 38 points in the first half, erupted for 60 points in the second half to secure the win.
Only Jokic and Jamal Murray, who scored 35 points, reached double figures for the Nuggets. Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope combined for just 16 points.
All five Timberwolves starters scored in double digits, with Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaden McDaniels each scoring 23 points, Anthony Edwards adding 16 and Mike Conley contributing 10 points. Naz Reid chipped in 11 points off the bench.
The Timberwolves will face the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals.