The Minnesota Timberwolves climbed back over .500 with a dominant 108-80 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night, marking their third consecutive win. The Timberwolves improved to 11-10 on the season as they opened their three-game road trip with a statement performance at the Clippers' new Intuit Dome.

Rudy Gobert played a pivotal role in the victory, delivering an all-around effort that brought to mind the resilience and spectacle of the iconic film Gladiator. Speaking to Chris Hines of The Minnesota Star Tribune after the game, Gobert drew an unusual but fitting parallel between the Intuit Dome’s imposing design and the famed Roman Colosseum.

“It reminded me of the Coliseum, like the movie Gladiator, one of my favorite movies. So I was feeling like a gladiator,” Gobert said.

Much like Maximus, the protagonist in Gladiator, Gobert entertained the crowd with a commanding performance that showcased his versatility and dominance. He contributed eight points, nine rebounds, seven assists, five steals, and a block, coming tantalizingly close to a triple-double while anchoring the Timberwolves’ blowout win.

Rudy Gobert anchors Timberwolves' defense in dominant win over Clippers

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) shoots over Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) during the first half at Intuit Dome.
© Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
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The Timberwolves held the Clippers to just 80 points, stifling a team that has struggled to find consistency despite the use of their state-of-the-art arena. Minnesota’s defense was particularly impressive, with Gobert leading the effort and helping limit the Clippers’ offense to 34.9% shooting from the field.

This win also sets the Timberwolves up for a critical stretch as they prepare for a two-game series against the Golden State Warriors (12-8) on Friday and Sunday. The Warriors have lost five straight games after a strong 12-3 start to the season, creating an opportunity for Minnesota to build on their momentum.

The Timberwolves’ road trip represents a chance to solidify their standing in the Western Conference after a rocky start to the season. Gobert’s leadership, on and off the court, continues to be a driving force for a team aiming to make a deeper playoff push in the 2024-25 campaign.

With another win in hand, the Timberwolves are poised to take their “Gladiator” mentality into the Bay Area for their next challenge.