Rudy Gobert out for Timberwolves in Game 2 in Denver for birth of his child

DENVER – The Timberwolves were without defensive anchor Rudy Gobert Monday night for Game 2 of their NBA Western Conference semifinal series against the Nuggets.

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said before Game 2 that Gobert would miss the game for personal reasons. Sources confirmed that Gobert was in the Twin Cities on Monday for the birth of his child with fiancée Julia Bonilla.

The team tried to find a way to get Gobert back in time for the game at Ball Arena, but those efforts failed given the timing and high winds that caused flight delays in Denver.

“There was definitely thought and timing to all of this,” Finch said. “The timing of his situation, along with the weather, made it really difficult. I didn’t feel like he was going to be able to get here and be ready to play.”

During a road trip to Utah in March, Gobert was asked if he would consider missing a playoff game to be present for the birth of his child. Without hesitation, he said he would.

“I don’t think there’s any debate to be had,” Gobert said then. “Coach Finch and all the guys in this room – that’s what I really like about our team, we have a level of human connection and empathy with each other that is really good. I think all of them guys will literally tell me, don’t play.

The Wolves were able to prepare Monday as if Gobert wasn’t there for Game 2. His absence changed the way they defended the Nuggets. They prefer to face Naz Reid, Karl-Anthony Towns or Kyle Anderson one-on-one against Denver center Nikola Jokic with Gobert able to roam the paint while taking on forward Aaron Gordon, who struggles to shoot ‘outside.

“It definitely changes things,” point guard Mike Conley said of Gobert’s potential absence. “He’s a focal point of what we do, especially defensively. Also, offensively as well, but we’re a deep team and we have a lot of guys ready to step in and play for us if that’s the case, and just try .to win by all means.”

Conley referenced the Wolves might have to throw some “junk” defenses on Jokic to change the look they give him. In a March 19 loss to Denver at Target Center, the Wolves were without Gobert, Towns and Reid and still nearly pulled away in a 115-112 loss.

“Going forward, we all have different tools that we bring to the team, and I believe each of my teammates needs to step up,” guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker said. “All season we played a few games shorthanded, we had a few injuries. And every person that replaced someone played their role and we found ways to win.”