Rudy Gobert will rejoin Timberwolves for Game 3 vs. Nuggets / News - Basketnews.com

After attending his son's birth, Rudy Gobert will suit up for the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Denver Nuggets.

Credit: AP Photo/Abbie Parr - Scanpix Credit AP Photo/Abbie Parr - Scanpix

Rudy Gobert is expected to rejoin the Minnesota Timberwolves when they tip off against the Denver Nuggets in Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinal series Friday night in Minneapolis.

Free throws this season

78%17,9Points made:17,9Accuracy:78,0%Place in standings:10Record max:30Record min:6Most made FTs:Anthony EdwardsTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

The Frenchman was not included on the Timberwolves injury report.

Gobert, who earned his fourth NBA Defensive Player of the Year award this week, missed Game 2 because of the birth of his son. He watched on TV as his teammates more than made up for his absence with stifling defense in a 106-80 win on the road against the Nuggets.

The victory gave Minnesota a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. The Timberwolves hope to maintain that mentality as they return to Target Center, where they posted a 30-11 record during the regular season and won both of their first-round playoff games against the Phoenix Suns.

"It was incredible," Gobert said. "Obviously I was watching the game, holding the baby at the same time. But I had a little emotion at the same time because it was something special. The energy, the focus that they had, the determination.

I don't know, there was something special in the way they came out. They came out to play 48 minutes. It was an incredible day, an incredible way to end the day for me and obviously the whole organization."

Minnesota are 6-0 in the playoffs thanks in large part to their 22-year-old superstar, Anthony Edwards, who is averaging 32.3 points in the postseason. Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 20.7 points and 9.0 rebounds, and Gobert is averaging a double-double with 13.2 points and 11.4 rebounds.

The Nuggets are the defending NBA champions and boast the best player on the court in three-time MVP Nikola Jokic – the latest honor coming Wednesday. He has averaged 27.0 points this postseason to go along with 15.0 rebounds and 9.4 assists – all team bests.

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