Rudy Gobert became the punchline to a biting NBA joke. His status in the league, questioned. His four Defensive Player of the Year honors, discredited. His ability to thrive in the postseason, nearly universally rejected.

Rudy Gobert came through for the Minnesota Timberwolves when they needed it most. The Timberwolves couldn't buy a shot from 3-point range, starters were in foul trouble early and the Los Angeles Lakers were playing with desperation facing elimination in their first-round Western Conference playoff series.