By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
In Target Center, French center Rudy Gobert posted an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double, helping the Minnesota Timberwolves edge out the Phoenix Suns, 120-117.
Julius Randle decided the NBA Sundays affair with a buzzer-beating three-pointer to highlight a 35-point display.
“That’s amazing for him. He works really hard. We trust him in those moments,” said Gobert, “We know he is capable of making tough and clutch shots. He’s done it in his whole career. Just another weapon for us.”
The Wolves overcame a season-high 44 points by Devin Booker to jump to 8-6 in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season on Sunday. Besides his sixth double-double of the season and third in a row, Gobert added four blocks and two assists.
“I think I haven’t been consistent yet. I think I’ve been myself the majority of the times, but there’ve been too many times when I felt like I left the team down a little bit,” he described his efforts.
The opposite starting center, Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic had five points, seven rebounds, and one assist. He has been dealing with a left ankle sprain in recent games.
Playing for the Miami Heat with a nasal fracture, Serbian Nikola Jovic combined 14 points with three rebounds, two assists, and one steal in a losing effort versus the Indiana Pacers, 119-110, in Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Early exit for Coulibaly
Recovering from a left great toe sprain, Italian Simone Fontecchio scored six points as the Detroit Pistons beat the Washington Wizards, 124-104, in Capital One Arena. Swedish Bobi Klintman (right calf contusion) remained sidelined.
For the hosts, French Bilal Coulibaly put up 15 points in 26 minutes before an early exit due to a right knee injury. Fellow French starter Alex Sarr was held to four points and 1/7 field goals. Coming off the bench, Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas produced a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double.