Rudy Gobert ready to face Luka Doncic again as Timberwolves prepare for Lakers showdown
Minnesota’s defensive anchor Rudy Gobert isn’t backing down from the challenge of containing Luka Doncic in the upcoming playoff battle against the Lakers.
“JJ, LeBron, Luka, all these guys are really, really smart,” Gobert said ahead of Saturday’s series opener. “They have the ability to adapt to all kinds of situations, and I think every game is gonna be different.”
The Timberwolves-Lakers matchup is shaping up to be one of the most exciting first-round series this postseason.
Neither team managed to steal a win on the road during their regular season meetings, splitting the series 2-2.
“Every game can be completely different in terms of game plan and approach, and that’s when you see the IQ and experience. All these things come into play and become even more important,” Gobert explained.
The four-time Defensive Player of the Year knows playoff basketball brings its own set of challenges.
“There’s gonna be a lot of things that won’t go our way, if we are prepared for that. We can’t let that affect us or distract us from the game plan for what we need to do.”
Despite Minnesota’s strong season, the Lakers enter as favorites. Bookmakers have Los Angeles at -200 to win the series.
## Familiar Foe
This isn’t Gobert’s first playoff dance with Doncic. The Slovenian superstar knocked Minnesota out in last year’s Western Conference Finals when he was still with Dallas.
“The Conference Finals were a great learning experience. We tried all the different coverages and saw all the different things,” Gobert recalled.
“Same player, different team, different guys around him, but they’re gonna run some of the same actions.”
The French center knows containing Doncic will be key to Minnesota’s success.
“We have to try to limit him as much as we can. It’s gonna be a game of adjustments, and I think as long as we’re all on the same page, we hope that we’re gonna have some success.”
Doncic has been nothing short of spectacular since joining the Lakers, averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists.
But what makes him truly dangerous? His playoff performance.
The five-time All-Star transforms when the stakes are highest, averaging an impressive 30.9 points per game in the postseason.
Can Gobert and the Timberwolves find an answer this time around? We’ll start finding out Saturday.
