After a stretch of upsets, the Minnesota Timberwolves have found a rhythm. Anthony Edwards announced the squad was ‘locked in’ after a win against the Phoenix Suns. Maybe they had finally broken through their problems. However, old tendencies made a return to the fold against the Toronto Raptors. In the heated matchup that the Wolves lost, star center Rudy Gobert came under fire.

His thread of plays in the fourth quarter might have cost the Timberwolves a chance at turning their night around. At first, Gobert, after being denied the ball in the paint by Julius Randle, got called for a three-second violation. The game was tied at that moment. Every possession counted in the clutch, particularly in a game that had been as intense as theirs.

Barnes, returning from an injury, celebrated the call. Gobert, upon seeing it, took out his frustration on the 23-year-old dynamic forward. In the very next play down the floor, Gobert pushed him down to the ground. Being in the bonus, Barnes hit down two lead-taking free throws in what became a 5-point win for the Raptors.

Still, there was time to make amends.

A slim lifeline even came. In a 5-point deficit, Barnes’ missed free throw gave the Wolves a chance to cut down the lead. Randle brought the ball, and this time saw an open Rudy Gobert in the paint. The desperation to get a quick bucket led him to give a pass. Sadly, Gobert couldn’t grab on, turning the ball over to Toronto.

Just like that, another upset, arguably a third in five games, has descended upon the Wolves. They had three 20+ point scorers, Anthony Edwards leading everyone with 26. However, against RJ Barrett’s courageous 31 points and the Raptors’ infectious allure at home, the pack of Wolves couldn’t stay together. Moreover, Timberwolves fans couldn’t hide their frustration at Gobert.

Timberwolves fans have seen enough from Rudy Gobert

By all means, having arguably a greater set of talent on their roster, Wolves fans were irked. The sensation remained harmonious – they should’ve won. Because of his clutch time plays, fans placed the blame for the result on the shoulders of the French center. “Get rid of him he’s too much for liability on offense anyway just get rid of them. Take anything you can,” said one angered fan.

In the offseason, Gobert signed a team-friendly deal. Declining a lucrative player option, the rim protector signed a three-year $110 million extension to extend his stay in Minnesota. Usually, he acts as the defensive fulcrum, playing well beside perimeter hawks. Even tonight, he made some valuable contributions, but in crunch time, a few errors popped up.

Some questioned the veteran’s mentality. “I don’t think I have ever seen a mature player act that way on the court. I don’t blame Randle at all for being mad. You cannot show your team up because you didn’t get the ball on one freaking post-up. Insanity from Rudy,” a comment read.

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It’s unfair to say the French center is the sole reason for their loss. Gobert had a 13-point double-double that included 2 blocks. However, the errors he did commit led to being the momentum shifters for the Raptors. The foul on Barnes and then a fumbled pass at the end both worked against the Wolves. And it left no time for repair.

More than fans though, they feel Randle might be the most upset with his teammate. During the first possession, an argument can be made for Gobert having the mismatch. Yet, fans feel the tandem lacks synergy. A fan did share their opinions on the same saying, “Umm so we are going to ignore the fact Randle just not passing the ball inside for all those seconds Rudy wide open!!… I blame Randle,”. 

Those plays are the ones that teams revisit after games. Could a Gobert dunk have helped the Wolves? With their pressuring defense, even a minute lead in the clutch can prove enough. However, losing to an inferior side doesn’t isn’t something that occurs because of two people. The entire Wolves fell short of drive and they simply got outplayed.

It’s a result that will teach the Wolves, who have a new team order certain things about themselves. To the long-time Wolves aficionados, there is one decision they feel coach Flinch is making. They don’t want to see Rudy Gobert in the clutch anymore due to his antics from tonight’s game.

“Not sure why Finch doesn’t pull Gobert at that point. Take charge of this team and let them know this isn’t acceptable. Sick of this childish behavior. Sick of watching them play like 2 years ago and lose to crappy teams,” one fan said. Gobert’s importance defensively as a serial shot blocker is hard to sideline when wanting a compact defense. However, with the games as close, prioritizing scoring can always be an option. In that case, Naz Reid may be more impactful.

Where do you think the Wolves lost this game? Let us know your views in the comments below.