DENVER (AP) — The Minneosta Timberwolves were without center Rudy Gobert for Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets on Monday night.
Gobert was back in Minneapolis, where his fiancee gave birth to the couple’s son early Monday.
Any thought of getting him back to Denver in time for the 10 p.m. EDT tipoff was scuttled by high winds in Colorado that disrupted air travel.
“There was definitely consideration ... but the timing of his circumstances plus some weather made it really tough,” Wolves coach Chris Finch said. “And we didn’t feel like he was going to be able to get here and be prepared to play.”
Gobert played a crucial role in the Wolves’ 106-99 win in Game 1, roaming the paint and denying Aaron Gordon his usual diet of alley-oop dunks.
A rotation of Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns and Naz Reid also hounded Nikola Jokic, the MVP favorite who committed an uncharacteristic seven turnovers and missed 14 shots in the opener.
Bernie Sanders campaigns for Biden while raising concerns about Gaza
Mexico denounces Ecuador to ICJ for embassy raid
MOC criticizes US' move against Chinese companies
(W.E. Talk) Salikyu Sangtam: How to view global politics from the Chinese Tianxia perspective?
Former cruise ship worker reveals the six things she would NEVER do on board
China's homegrown manned airship completes first transfer flight
Chinese experts fill gap in risk
International gold price expected to continue rising: analysts
White Sox recall Mike Clevinger from Triple
Venezuelan, Colombian leaders meet on bilateral ties
Julia Fox and Law Roach team up for a sustainable fashion competition show
China's homegrown unmanned aircraft takes to sky