Timberwolves Snap Skid with 122-105 Victory Over Hornets, Gobert Dominates Second Half

The Minnesota Timberwolves ended a two-game losing streak yesterday with a 122-105 win over the Charlotte Hornets, fueled by a dominant second-half performance from center Rudy Gobert.

After a sluggish first half where the Hornets led 56-50, Gobert erupted for 6 points, 11 rebounds, a block, and a plus-18 rating in the third quarter alone, sparking a 36-18 run for Minnesota. He finished the game with 14 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks, and the Timberwolves outscored the Hornets by 31 points during his 35 minutes on the floor. This turnaround is particularly significant as Minnesota looks to re-establish itself as a top contender in the Western Conference.

Gobert acknowledged his responsibility for the team’s recent defensive struggles, which saw them ranked 27th in the league in defensive rating entering the game. “I have to set the tone every single minute that I’m on the floor,” Gobert said after the loss to the Denver Nuggets. “I set the standards for the team. So it definitely starts with me.” Donte DiVincenzo also contributed significantly, scoring 18 points despite taking an elbow to the face in the first half, and Jaylen Clark’s return from a calf strain provided an immediate defensive boost. For more on player performance, see NBA.com’s stats page.

Julius Randle added 30 points and 7 rebounds for the Timberwolves, continuing his strong start to the season while Anthony Edwards recovers from a hamstring injury. Coach Chris Finch also highlighted the positive development of rookie guard Rob Dillingham, who showed improvement when paired with Gobert in the second half. The Timberwolves will look to continue their momentum on Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.