Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert was named the 2023-24 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year, receiving the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy, according to an announcement from the NBA Communications official Twitter:
The three-time All-Star averaged 14.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 steals and 2.1 blocks per game. Gobert played 76 games, shooting 66.1% from the field. He anchored a Timberwolves defense that led the league in both opponents points per game and defensive rating.
Gobert becomes the first player to win the award with Minnesota. It marks his fourth time winning the Defensive Player of the Year. He joins Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace as the only players to do so four times. Despite being voted as the most overrated player by his peers, his latest accomplishment could solidify his Hall of Fame case. He won the award in a landslide victory, receiving 72 of 99 first-place votes.
Rudy Gobert expected to return for Game 3
Rudy Gobert is having a great week despite missing Game 2 of the Minnesota Timberwolves‘ Western Conference Semifinals matchup with Denver Nuggets. In addition to winning his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award on Tuesday, he welcomed his first born child on Monday. While he attempted to fly back to Denver, he was unable to rejoin the team in time.
Despite the absence of their defensive anchor, Minnesota was able to cruise to victory. They took a commanding 2-0 series lead via the 106-80 blowout. Speaking on the Run It Back podcast, Shams Charania shared that Gobert is expected to return for Game 3, stating:
He had the birth of his child – first newborn child, a son – and he actually tried to fly and make it to the game in Denver. He tried to fly throughout the day yesterday, but weather conditions in Denver – also in Minnesota – supposedly it was super windy in Denver. Flights were being delayed. He did not make it for the game. I think everyone obviously expects him to play in Game 3 in Minnesota.
While Gobert faced criticism for missing a postseason game, his team got the job done in his absence. The series will now return to Minnesota with the Timberwolves needing two more wins to reach the Western Conference Finals. Gobert has averaged 13.2 points, 11.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game this postseason. He has shot 59.5% from the field and 88.0% from the free-throw line in five games.
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