Gobert Wants Jazz Success Ahead Of Timberwolves Game
Oct 20, 2022, 2:27 PM | Updated: Nov 7, 2022, 2:21 pm
Former Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert with Minnesota Timberwolves teammate Karl-Anthony Towns (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Rudy Gobert said he is rooting for the Utah Jazz to succeed even now as he plays for the rival Minnesota Timberwolves.
The all-world defender and former Jazzman said it would be strange to see his former team when they meet on Friday night in Minnesota, but expects a fun game.
Both the Jazz and Timberwolves got wins in their season openers before the highly-touted matchup.
Gobert Rooting For Jazz As Member Of Timberwolves
The Timberwolves opened their season with a narrow 115-108 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.
Gobert was brilliant in his Minnesota debut scoring 23 points and grabbing 16 rebounds on 10-15 shooting to open the season.
The three-time Defensive Player of the Year said he was looking forward to the game two matchups with the Jazz after Wednesday’s win.
“It’s definitely going to be weird,” Gobert told The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski. “Those jerseys are a little different but it’s still going to be weird to play against someone with Utah on them.”
Rudy Gobert faces his former team, the Utah Jazz, on Friday night: pic.twitter.com/6av8dlvw37
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) October 20, 2022
Gobert spent the first nine seasons of his NBA career with the Jazz where he became one of the most decorated players in team history.
Since 2016, the center has been named to six consecutive All-Defensive first teams, has earned four All-NBA honors, and received three All-Star nods.
The Jazz have undergone significant turnover since Gobert last called Utah home, but the future Hall of Famer said he still anticipates an enjoyable reunion.
“Even though Quin [Snyder] is not there anymore, it’s still going to be fun,” Gobert said. “It’s going to be fun, and you know it’s all love for me. I want to see these guys succeed and I’m sure they want to see me succeed, too.”
Jazz Stun Nuggets In Season Opener
While the Timberwolves were expected to beat the Thunder in their season opener, the Jazz turned heads on opening night by lowing out the Denver Nuggets 123-102.
Collin Sexton led the Jazz with 20 points off the bench while rookie Walker Kessler recorded a historic stat line in his rookie debut.
Walker Kessler is the first player in NBA history to record a double-double and shoot 100% from the floor in their rookie debut.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) October 20, 2022
Kessler is the first player in NBA history to record a double-double without missing a shot from the field in his rookie debut.
The Jazz scored 75 points against the Nuggets in the first half and resisted Denver’s attempts to close the game in the third and fourth quarters.
“They threw a big punch in the second half to get back in the game, they have really good players and they’re well coached,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “Our guys just stuck together. We maintained our identity on the defensive and offensive end well tonight.”
Seven Jazz players finished in double figures while each player who saw regular rotational minutes recorded at least one assist in the win.
Jazz And Timberwolves Broadcast
The Jazz and Timberwolves will tip off at 6 pm at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The game will be televised on AT&T SportsNet and can be heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. The game will also be streamed on DirecTV Stream and FuboTV.
