Rudy Gobert in for Timberwolves' game against Magic
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Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert will be in the starting lineup for Friday night's home game against the Orlando Magic, despite being listed as questionable ahead of the game with a left ankle sprain.
Gobert popped up on the Wolves' updated status report after the team's morning shootaround Friday. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said pregame that there was no update to Gobert's status, but he was listed in the starting lineup that gets released about a half hour before tip.
The 31-year-old center has missed just one game this season, the Timberwolves' Jan. 10 road loss to the Boston Celtics.
The Wolves big man was an All-Star snub despite averaging a double-double, 13.4 points and 12.4 rebounds per game, for first-place Minnesota this season.
With just under two months left in the season, Gobert is the favorite to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award. It would be his fourth time winning the award.
Gobert scored 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds the last time the Wolves and Magic met, a 113-92 Wolves win in Orlando back on Jan. 9.
Jan 31, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) works around Dallas Mavericks center Richaun Holmes (20) in the fourth quarter at Target Center.
© Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
