The Utah Jazz have undergone a complete transformation since Rudy Gobert's return to the lineup, one that even he didn't see coming upon returning from injury on January.
Gobert was optimistic about his team's chances, saying “we will be fine” earlier in the season once he returned, with the Jazz way off the playoff picture.
“To be honest, third seed? I would have not thought the third seed was possible,” said Gobert, according to Andy Larsen on Salt City Hoops. “I knew we could turn things around. Win or lose tomorrow, we put ourselves in a great position.”
The Jazz have won six straight games and can break the tie with the Portland Trail Blazers during tonight's season finale, locking them into the third seed.
The Blazers have lost four straight games and have struggled to keep the furious pace they boasted off the All-Star break, putting together a double-digit winning streak.
Utah has gone a blistering 31-7 since Gobert returned to the lineup and has put together the toughest defensive lineup in the league, as the combination of Ricky Rubio, Donovan Mitchell, Joe Ingles, Jae Crowder, and Gobert has proved ultimately tough to score on, likely entering the playoffs as one of the best-kept secrets — one that makes all the difference.
Gobert's team was in 10th place when he came back from injury and the Jazz have clawed their way to playoff prominence, now one step away from hitting full stride going into the postseason.
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