By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Rudy Gobert repeatedly talked about winning his first NBA championship throughout the 2025-26 season, but that dream was put on hold after the Minnesota Timberwolves were eliminated from the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, following a 4–2 series loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Semifinals.
“It’s always frustrating, obviously, falling short on your goals. It’s time to process that and reflect. I’m going to do that the next few days, next few weeks, probably the next few months, but you always have to look at what the lessons are, and also be very grateful,” he mentioned during his postgame press conference following Game 6 at Target Center on Friday.
“The goal is still the same,” added the 33-year-old French center. “I know it’s a team sport, full of individuals, and I know, personally, my goal is still the same.”
The best-of-seven series was highlighted by his battles in the paint with Victor Wembanyama, with both players eventually hugging shortly after the final buzzer on the court.
“It was a great battle,” he reflected on the French matchup. “It was a great challenge for me and for us as a team. I think he’s shown that he took another step. I think it was a big test for him, and he passed it. We were really physical with him, and it affected him, but he still was able to impact the game how he can impact the game on both ends of the floor.”
Gobert showed deep respect for his younger countryman’s development and mental fortitude under pressure. “As a competitor, I hate to lose, but it’s also watching him being able to do what he is going in these moments, and overcoming adversity as he did in this series, it’s a credit to his work and all the sacrifices that he made, all the time that he puts on his body and his mind, all the dedication. I’m aware of that. Sooner or later, you get rewarded when you have that mindset,” he said.
Beyond maintaining focus on his championship goal and praising Wemby, he fully agreed with an earlier assessment made by teammate Anthony Edwards that the Wolves failed to build the necessary championship and winning habits during the 2025-26 Regular Season. “We can definitely say that,” he mentioned. “I think just our focus on our foundation, who we are, and the things we need to do, no matter what.”
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 4-3 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113, 88-94, 116-109, 93-79, 116-94)
Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 4-3 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93, 125-120, 110-112, 114-102)
New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 4-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98, 126-97, 140-89)
Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-4 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96, 97-113, 93-106, 100-109)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Cleveland Cavaliers 3-3 (111-101, 107-97, 109-116, 103-112, 113-117, 115-94)
New York Knicks – Philadelphia 76ers 4-0 (137-98, 108-102, 108-94, 144-114)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – New York Knicks / New York Knicks – Cleveland Cavaliers
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 4-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109, 131-122)
Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 4-2 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108, 96-115, 93-99, 98-78)
Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 2-4 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112, 125-113, 98-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93, 114-95)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 (108-90, 125-107, 131-108, 115-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Minnesota Timberwolves 4-2 (102-104, 133-95, 115-108, 109-114, 126-97, 139-109)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – San Antonio Spurs
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
Eastern Conference and Western Conference champions