Rudy Gobert’s stellar performance, featuring 24 points and 17 rebounds, alongside Karl-Anthony Towns’ 23 points, propelled the Minnesota Timberwolves to a decisive 116-93 win against the Portland Trail Blazers during Friday night’s NBA action.
Gobert, back from a hip injury, and Towns led the charge against a young, depleted Portland team still reeling from a historic 139-77 defeat in Oklahoma City the previous night.
The duo of Gobert and Towns was highly efficient, combining for a 16-19 shooting performance, with Towns perfect from beyond the arc. Gobert emphasized the team’s collective spirit and desire to win, highlighting the absence of ego-driven conflicts.
“We want to see each other succeed,” Gobert said. “We want to be able to win together. That’s unique. In this league, a lot of teams have egos. I think we’re both in a place in our career now where it’s about winning. Nothing else matters.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Minnesota excelled with a 55% team shooting rate, contrasting Portland’s 39%. After returning from a rest day, Mike Conley contributed nine points and 10 assists. Anthony Edwards added nine points, with the Timberwolves improving their home record to 14-3. Notably, Gobert, Edwards, and Conley were rested during the fourth quarter. Towns stressed the importance of maintaining high standards, regardless of the opponent’s struggles.
“Just be professionals, just come out and play with the standards that we’ve established for ourselves since Day 1 here,” Towns said. “Defensively and offensively finding, again, another gear and get back to our groove.”
For Portland, Duop Reath scored 14 points, with Jerami Grant adding 13. However, the Trail Blazers were hampered by injuries, with key players like DeAndre Ayton and Shaedon Sharpe sidelined.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Blazers coach Chauncey Billups acknowledged the challenging nature of their recent schedule, which was compounded by injuries. Jabari Walker, back from a knee injury, scored 17 points, but Portland sorely missed Ayton’s presence.
“When our schedule came out and I seen this trip, I said, ‘Dang, that’s a beast of a trip here,’ and I didn’t even know we would, obviously, be injured or hurt or whatever position we would be in,” Billups said. “Just a tough trip, but it turned out to be even tougher than I thought it would.”
Malcolm Brogdon returned for Portland, contributing nine points, but Anfernee Simons struggled, scoring only five points. Minnesota’s victory marked a return to form, overcoming recent offensive issues and high turnover rates. Despite committing 16 turnovers, they overpowered Portland, who has suffered significant losses on their road trip.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
The game began with Minnesota scoring the first 11 points, establishing a lead they never relinquished, peaking at a 36-point advantage in the fourth quarter. Portland’s road trip was marked by heavy defeats, except for an overtime victory against Brooklyn.
Next, the Trail Blazers will face the Phoenix Suns at home on Sunday, while the Timberwolves host the Los Angeles Clippers.
