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Timberwolves vs. Spurs: Rudy Gobert questionable with back spasms in a playoff rematch
Minnesota arrived without Anthony Edwards and with a question at center, while San Antonio, a favorite by 11.5 points, was missing two players of its own.
Gobert's status
Rudy Gobert was listed as questionable with low back spasms for the Timberwolves against the Spurs, a worry for a Minnesota team already without its top scorer. [1]
Gobert played 30 minutes against the Clippers, finishing with nine points and 13 rebounds. [1]
Minnesota without Edwards
Anthony Edwards remains out with a right knee arthroscopic procedure. [1] He is set to miss up to two months. [1]
Edwards was sidelined after just four games, in which he averaged 33.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists. [1][2]
The Timberwolves beat the Clippers 127-101 on Friday in NBA Cup group play, their first win without Edwards. [1]
Minnesota traded Naz Reid to Charlotte to land LaMelo Ball. [2] Without Edwards, Ball is expected to handle the ball often for the Timberwolves. [2]
San Antonio's injuries and form
Spurs forward Tobias Harris is out with a left calf strain. [1] He has yet to debut for the Spurs this season after signing in the offseason, and there is no timetable for his return. [1]
Spurs rookie Jayden Quaintance is out after right knee surgery and has not been cleared for basketball activities. [1]
The Spurs had won three straight after losing their first two games of the season to Oklahoma City and Houston. [1] Victor Wembanyama matched a career-best 9 dunks in each of the last two games. [2]
The matchup
This was the first meeting of the season between the two teams. [1] It was also their first matchup since their playoff series in May, a rematch of the Western Conference semifinals. [3]
Wembanyama averaged 19.8 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks against Minnesota in that second-round series. [2] San Antonio runs many inverted pick-and-rolls with Wembanyama handling the ball and Stephon Castle setting the screen. [2]
The Spurs were favored by 11.5 points. [2]
What it means for you
If you follow the Timberwolves, check Gobert's status first, since he was listed as questionable with low back spasms. [1] Edwards is out and set to miss up to two months, so Ball is expected to handle the ball often. [1][2]
If you follow the Spurs, Harris and Quaintance are both out, and Harris has no timetable for return. [1]
Sources
- Timberwolves vs Spurs Injury Report: Key Starter Listed For Minnesota — roundtable.io
- Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs Minnesota Timberwolves — poundingtherock.com
- 🎃Game Preview #7: Wolves vs Spurs Game Thread🎃 — canishoopus.com
Written from the sources above and checked twice before publishing. How we work · Report an error
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