Watch Rudy Gobert best Nikola Jokić on both ends of the floor

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Missing Aaron Gordon wasn’t the only issue the Denver Nuggets had in Game 3.

The Minnesota Timberwolves completely handled Denver, 113-96, Thursday, April 23, taking a 2-1 series lead over the No. 3-seeded Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.

Throughout the game, offense was the issue, with three starters — Cameron Johnson, Spencer Jones and Christian Braun — combining to score just 14 points on 4-of-13 shooting.

It was a team effort, but Minnesota’s anchor down low, center Rudy Gobert, had a special night.

Gobert was a force on defense, especially on Nuggets All-Star and Most Valuable Player finalist Nikola Jokić. This has come on the heels of Gobert publicly expressing his displeasure that he was not named a finalist for the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award, which went to Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama.

Jokić did end up with 27 points, but it came on an inefficient 7-of-26 (26.9%) shooting night, including a 2-of-10 showing from 3-point range.


Gobert was a big part of that. It also means that Jokić has now gone 15-of-46 (32.6%) over his last two games against Gobert and the Timberwolves. By comparison, Jokić shot the ball at a 56.9% clip this season.

Here’s a look at some of the defensive and offensive highlights of Gobert getting the best of Jokić Thursday night:

Rudy Gobert highlights versus Nikola Jokić​



RUDY GOBERT LOCKS UP NIKOLA JOKIC

ELITE DEFENSE

pic.twitter.com/FGB8KRev9n

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 24, 2026


Rudy Gobert block on Nikola Jokic replay pic.twitter.com/dKqqXZSgmV

— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) April 24, 2026


OH MY RUDY pic.twitter.com/tRXcDNEnMJ

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 24, 2026




Rudy Gobert ran thru Jokic then gave a camera stare pic.twitter.com/NPvehxwqxi

— Shabazz (@ShowCaseShabazz) April 24, 2026

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rudy Gobert bests Nikola Jokic on both ends of the floor

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