Rudy Gobert impresses Erik Spoelstra: « One of the most underrated players in the NBA »
Jan 6, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Miami Heat guard Norman Powell (24) goes to the basket against Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) in the third quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
Rudy Gobert continues to make his presence felt in the paint. During the Wolves’ big win against Miami, the French center delivered another solid performance with 13 points, 16 rebounds and 2 blocks. A performance that didn’t go unnoticed by Erik Spoelstra, the Heat’s coach.
Praise from a respected coach
The Heat’s young center, Kel’el Ware, had a difficult evening against the Wolves with only 7 points and 11 rebounds on 3/10 shooting. Erik Spoelstra didn’t look far to explain his player’s struggles: « Kel’el Ware crossed paths with a proud veteran, a winner », declared the Heat’s coach.
« Rudy Gobert remains one of the most underrated players in this League. He knows what type of player he is, he knows how to impact a game. He’s not necessarily going to score 35 points, but he grabs rebounds, especially offensive ones, he brings physical impact, all those things that help his team », added Spoelstra.
Coming from one of the best coaches in the NBA, these compliments carry weight. The 33-year-old Frenchman dominated the Heat’s interior, with Bam Adebayo limited to just 7 points. Miami’s two centers shot a poor combined 6/21, without getting a single free throw.
The wake-up call that revived Minnesota
This performance is part of a positive streak for Gobert and the Wolves, undefeated in their last three games. A revival that followed the center’s strong statements after the loss to Atlanta: « Something needs to happen », he had said, believing that without change, it would make the difference « between a team playing for a title and a team full of talent but that achieves nothing ».
« That game in Atlanta was a wake-up call », confirms Gobert. « We asked ourselves if we wanted to be that team or the one we want to be, meaning a team aiming for the title. The answer is pretty obvious. »
Since then, the Frenchman has posted impressive statistics: 14.7 points on 82% shooting, 14 rebounds and 2 blocks per game over these three victories. Sometimes mocked on social media, Gobert is having another very solid season with 11 points, 11 rebounds and nearly 2 blocks per game. When he’s on the court, the Wolves have the second-best defense in the NBA with 108.8 points allowed per 100 possessions. A performance that puts him once again in the running for a fifth Defensive Player of the Year title, which would be an NBA record.
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