Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert sits out Game 2 in Denver as he returns home to celebrate the birth of his son.

 Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert sits out Game 2 in Denver as he returns home to celebrate the birth of his son.

T In Denver, the Minnesota Timberwolves faced Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the reigning NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets, without their center Rudy Gobert. Gobert was absent as he returned to Minneapolis, where his fiancée had given birth to their son earlier on Monday. Efforts to bring Gobert back to Denver for the 10 p.m. EDT tipoff were thwarted by adverse weather conditions, particularly high winds in Colorado, disrupting air travel. T Wolves coach Chris Finch acknowledged the consideration of Gobert's return but cited the timing of his personal circumstances combined with the weather conditions, making it impractical for him to reach Denver and be game-ready. In Game 1, Gobert's presence was pivotal in the Wolves' 106-99 victory. He played a significant defensive role, disrupting the paint and limiting Aaron Gordon's usual alley-oop opportunities. Gobert, along with Karl-Anthony Towns and Naz Reid, also contributed to containing Nikola Jokic, the MVP favorite, who struggled with seven turnovers and missed 14 shots in the series opener.

T In Gobert's absence, coach Finch acknowledged the need to adjust defensively, stating, "Obviously, Kyle (Anderson) will get some time on Jokic. Maybe we'll have to implement some new strategies. However, our defensive focus starts and ends with KAT first and foremost."

Jamal Murray's status for the Nuggets was listed as questionable, but coach Michael Malone expressed confidence in his inclusion in the starting lineup, despite dealing with a strained left calf for over a week. T Meanwhile, the Timberwolves are largely injury-free, except for their coach, who underwent right knee surgery last week following a collision with point guard Mike Conley in Round 1. Consequently, he's observing the games from the second row of seats on the Wolves' bench. Assistant coach Micah Nori has taken charge of relaying instructions to players on the court and managing interactions with officials. T Reflecting on the situation, Coach Finch remarked, "It felt a bit odd. The last time I sat in the second row was when I was an assistant coach here in Denver. But I must say, I quite enjoyed the experience and managed to avoid facing Malone's displeasure."

"But the crucial aspect was feeling secure. I could communicate effortlessly with the coaches and players, maintain a clear view of the game, and remain just as engaged as usual, aside from the absence of being on the sideline and interacting with referees which, perhaps, was a blessing," remarked Finch. "Micah performed exceptionally well. He's truly adept at managing the game."