Rudy Gobert posts 14 points, nine rebounds

Gobert is questionable with low back spasms. Joan Beringer had 12 points, seven rebounds and two blocks against the Cavaliers earlier this week and would likely start if Gobert is ruled out.

On a night when starting center Rudy Gobert (five points, 19 rebounds, two assists and one block) shot 0-of-8 from the field, Beringer stepped up with the fifth double-digit scoring night of his young NBA career. He was perfect from the field while also providing solid rebounding and shot-blocking. Beringer still isn’t at the point where he should be rostered in redraft leagues, but his long-term outlook is good.

Gobert took just two field-goal attempts on Wednesday, and his fantasy value came from his rebounding. One would hope the 7-footer gets more lob opportunities as the season progresses, since one of Gobert’s fantasy selling points is his high field-goal percentage. That wasn’t the case against the Heat, but that can be a challenging matchup with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo on the other side. Gobert will look to be more involved offensively in Friday’s game against the Magic.

Gobert’s matchup with Victor Wembanyama was the challenge that many expected it to be before the series began, but Game 6 was brutal. In addition to missing all four of his shot attempts, the veteran center grabbed just three rebounds and did not block a shot. The matchup at the start of the game didn’t help, either, as Gobert was assigned to guard Stephon Castle. Castle knocked down shots, scoring 14 of his game-high 32 points in the first quarter. As effective as he was in the first round, Gobert will head into the offseason with a bad taste in his mouth. Looking to 2026-27, the 7-foot-1 pivot has top-100 fantasy potential, and he can be even more valuable in roster builds that punt free-throw percentage.

Gobert has reached double digits in rebounds in four of his last five playoff games, with Sunday’s tally being the most for him since Game 6 of the first-round series against Denver. With Victor Wembanyama getting ejected just over three minutes into the second quarter, Gobert spent most of the night competing with Luke Kornet for rebounds and points in the paint. That won’t be the case for Game 5 on Tuesday, but the “Stifle Tower” has held his own more often than not. The winner of Tuesday’s game will take a 3-2 series lead.

Foul shooting aside, Gobert played well in the series-opening defeat. While Denver’s Nikola Jokić managed to record a triple-double, the Timberwolves’ center’s defensive effort factored into the three-time MVP committing five turnovers. Gobert missed just one shot inside the arc and corralled a team-high 10 rebounds, playing 38 minutes. For the Timberwolves to win this series, they’re going to need consistent contributions from Gobert.

Making a second consecutive start due to the absences of Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid, Beringer was dominant on Sunday. The rookie center became the 12th teenager in league history to record at least 10 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in a game, and the youngest in Timberwolves franchise history. Beringer finished with season-highs in points, rebounds and blocks, putting forth an effort that likely thrilled dynasty league managers rostering him. Beringer is unlikely to be much of a factor in this year’s playoffs, but his time will come.

The Timberwolves have nothing to play for on Sunday regarding playoff seeding, so their key players will not be available. Joan Beringer and Jaylen Clark should play plenty, and it would be unsurprising if a Rocco Zikarsky or Enrique Freeman played a few minutes as well. Beringer is the most trustworthy option for those in active fantasy leagues.

Gobert will miss a second consecutive game as he rests up for the playoffs. The Timberwolves are locked into the No. 6 seed in the West, so the regulars are likely to get time to rest in the team’s final two games. Naz Reid will get another start, which raises his ceiling for those in active fantasy leagues.

The Timberwolves, with three games left in the regular season, will use a starting lineup on Wednesday that they haven’t yet used this season. Ingles gets his first start of the year, and Anderson will also start for the first time this year as a member of the Timberwolves. Several key players, including Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, and Anthony Edwards, won’t play against the Magic.