Watch Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert Best Nikola Jokic On Both Ends Of Floor

Missing Aaron Gordon wasn’t the only issue the Denver Nuggets had in Game 3.

The Minnesota Timberwolves completely handled Denver, 113-96, Thursday, April 23, taking a 2-1 series lead over the No. 3-seeded Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.

Throughout the game, offense was the issue, with three starters — Cameron Johnson, Spencer Jones and Christian Braun — combining to score just 14 points on 4-of-13 shooting.

It was a team effort, but Minnesota’s anchor down low, center Rudy Gobert, had a special night.

Gobert was a force on defense, especially on Nuggets All-Star and Most Valuable Player finalist Nikola Jokić. This has come on the heels of Gobert publicly expressing his displeasure that he was not named a finalist for the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award, which went to Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama.

Jokić did end up with 27 points, but it came on an inefficient 7-of-26 (26.9%) shooting night, including a 2-of-10 showing from 3-point range.

Gobert was a big part of that. It also means that Jokić has now gone 15-of-46 (32.6%) over his last two games against Gobert and the Timberwolves. By comparison, Jokić shot the ball at a 56.9% clip this season.

Here’s a look at some of the defensive and offensive highlights of Gobert getting the best of Jokić Thursday night:

Rudy Gobert highlights versus Nikola Jokić

RUDY GOBERT LOCKS UP NIKOLA JOKIC

ELITE DEFENSE

???????????? pic.twitter.com/FGB8KRev9n

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 24, 2026

Rudy Gobert block on Nikola Jokic replay pic.twitter.com/dKqqXZSgmV

— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) April 24, 2026

OH MY RUDY pic.twitter.com/tRXcDNEnMJ

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 24, 2026

Gobert went NO-LOOK to Randle ???? https://t.co/0omXkpZiYEpic.twitter.com/u7nFpx4j4D

— NBA (@NBA) April 24, 2026

Rudy Gobert ran thru Jokic then gave a camera stare ???????????? pic.twitter.com/NPvehxwqxi

— Shabazz ???? (@ShowCaseShabazz) April 24, 2026

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rudy Gobert bests Nikola Jokic as Timberwolves beat Nuggets in Game 3