Saturday’s Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder is a must-win for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
While a loss wouldn’t eliminate them from the playoffs, it would put them in a nearly impossible 3-0 hole and would essentially doom their chances of moving on.
Speaking to the press, Rudy Gobert didn’t downplay the importance of the game, but he said his Timberwolves are attempting to stay in the moment and not focus on the consequences of falling into a 3-0 deficit.
“That’s not helpful,” Gobert said, per Dave McMenamin. “If you’re on the battlefield and you’re worried about the outcome, you’ll get shot in your head.”
Rudy Gobert on the Wolves needing to stay in the moment vs. considering the consequences of falling down 3-0 to OKC: “That’s not helpful … If you’re on the battlefield and you’re worried about the outcome, you’ll get shot in your head.” pic.twitter.com/DjDlrl1bfV
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 24, 2025
This is a thought process that many stars have at this point in the playoffs.
Yes, the Timberwolves are in a bad position, and, yes, another loss would cost them dearly and could basically end their season.
But Minnesota isn’t trying to think like that.
Instead, they are just focusing on the next 48 minutes of basketball and trying to win this game, and then they will worry about what’s next after that.
After a long and hard series against the Denver Nuggets, the Thunder are once again looking like the best team in the West and frontrunners for the championship.
They aren’t going easy on the Timberwolves and are seemingly getting better.
Their Game 2 victory was a comfortable one, and they looked completely in control.
Over the last several days, the Timberwolves have watched footage of that game, tweaked their plans, and headed back home.
Now Game 3 will be in front of their own fans, and they are hoping they can give them something to cheer about.
The stakes couldn’t be higher, but Gobert and his team are attempting to stay centered, focused, and completely in the present.
NEXT: Jaden McDaniels Gets Honest About His Flagrant Foul In Game 2
