Rudy Gobert on Battling Nikola Jokić: “I Embrace the Challenge”

 

Rudy Gobert on Battling Nikola Jokić: “I Embrace the Challenge”

Rudy Gobert and Nikola Jokić have crossed paths in some memorable playoff clashes. Jokić, widely regarded as one of the most dominant offensive forces in NBA history, has collected three MVP awards in the past five seasons and finished runner-up in the other two. Gobert, meanwhile, has claimed four Defensive Player of the Year honors—tied for the most ever. Their head-to-head duels have become a defining subplot in recent Timberwolves–Nuggets postseason matchups.

Gobert Reflects on Guarding “The Joker”

Appearing on The Old Man and The Three podcast, the 12-year veteran spoke with co-host Tommy Alter about his approach to defending Denver’s superstar.

“My mindset is just to make him work as much as possible,” Gobert explained. “If I can disrupt him enough to give my team a chance, that’s the goal. I love those challenges. Any time I wake up knowing I get to face Jokić, I’m grateful—I get to test myself against one of the best players in the world while doing what I love.”

A Rivalry Written in the Playoffs

The Wolves and Nuggets didn’t square off in last year’s postseason, but they did in the two years prior. Denver eliminated Minnesota in five games in the 2023 first round, only for the Wolves to return the favor in 2024, edging the Nuggets in a seven-game conference semifinal thriller.

Gobert didn’t shut Jokić down—no one can—but he did make life tougher. Across those two series, Jokić shot just over 50% from the field (126-for-250), noticeably below his 59.4% regular-season average over the past three years.

Looking Ahead to Christmas Day

At 33, Gobert may not add another DPOY trophy to his résumé, but he remains one of the league’s premier rim protectors. Minnesota has ranked inside the top 10 in defensive rating in each of his three seasons with the team.

The Wolves and Nuggets have finished within a single game of each other in the standings the past two years, fueling one of the NBA’s fiercest rivalries. Fittingly, the league has scheduled their next showdown for Christmas Day.