Following reports that came out earlier this week that he has participated in some non-contact drills, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert could already make his much-awaited return on Friday when his team faces the New York Knicks, according to Kyle Goon of the Salt Lake Tribune.

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The French international has missed the Jazz’s last 12 games due to a PCL sprain and bone bruise. He has been badly missed as the team does not have another center who has the same skill set as him. Gobert is known for his elite rim protection as well as his ability to score efficiently near the basket.

He has also been playing well prior to the injury, averaging close to a double-double with 11.6 points on 59.8 percent shooting from the field, 9.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 2.3 blocks in 29.9 minutes through 18 games so far this season. More importantly, his presence alone changes shots inside the paint and making it difficult for their opponents to score, as he has the knack of swatting shots and making it look easy to do.

Gobert’s return will be a huge boost to the Jazz as they currently only have an 18-26 record to show, only good for 10th place in the tough Western Conference. It’s also going to be a treat for fans as they will witness two of the better big men in the league today compete against each other, with Gobert and Kristaps Porzingis representing two different styles of play.