The Minnesota Timberwolves were at their best late in a 102-94 win over the hapless San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night in Minneapolis. The Wolves were led by veteran point guard Mike Conley and star center Rudy Gobert, who combined for 38 points and 24 rebounds in the game. The win also sparked trade rumors involving both players, as they are set to become free agents after this season.
Conley poured in a team-high 18 points, hitting 7-of-10 shots from the field and dishing out six assists. He also made four of his six free throws. Conley has been playing at a high level since joining the Wolves from the Utah Jazz in a blockbuster trade that sent Donovan Mitchell to Cleveland and Bojan Bogdanovic to Detroit. Conley has averaged 14.4 points and 6.2 assists per game for the Wolves this season, forming a dynamic duo with Karl-Anthony Towns.
Gobert added 16 points and 20 rebounds for his third consecutive double-double, showing no signs of slowing down at age 35. He also blocked three shots and grabbed eight rebounds off the bench. Gobert has been one of the best defensive players in the league for years, earning two Defensive Player of the Year awards with the Jazz. He has also been a mentor to Conley, who joined him in Minnesota after spending nine seasons with Utah.
The Wolves were without their other All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns, who missed his third straight game with a sprained ankle. Towns suffered the injury in Sunday’s loss to Portland, where he had 28 points and nine rebounds before leaving early in the fourth quarter. Towns is expected to return next week, but his availability could affect the Wolves’ playoff hopes.
The Spurs were playing their final game under coach Gregg Popovich, who announced that he would retire after this season. Popovich has led San Antonio to five NBA championships and two Olympic gold medals during his tenure as head coach since 1996. The Spurs finished with a dismal record of 15-67 this season, missing the playoffs for only the second time since joining the league in 1976.
The Wolves will look to continue their momentum when they face off against their division rivals Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night at Target Center. The Spurs will wrap up their season when they visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night at Staples Center.
