The NBA announced Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has been named to the 2024-25 NBA All-Defensive Second Team. This is the first time in Gobert’s career he’s been named to the All-Defensive Second Team and the eighth time he’s been named to either All-Defensive Team (2024-25, 2023-24, 2021-22, 2020-21, 2019-20, 2018-19, 2017-18 and 2016-17). After being named to the All-Defensive First Team last season, he becomes the second player in franchise history to be named to either All-Defensive Team multiple times (Kevin Garnett: First Team, 6x; Second Team, 2x).
Anchored by Gobert’s eighth-best defensive rating in the NBA of 107.6 (min. 30 minutes per game), the Timberwolves finished the 2024-25 campaign with the sixth ranked defense in the NBA (110.8) after ranking in the top-10 for defensive rating for the second straight season (first in 2023-24). Gobert finished the season with the second-best rate in the NBA when he was on the floor (108.3) and ranked third in the NBA in field goal percentage allowed when contesting in the paint (47% allowed).
The 7-1 center finished up his 12th season in the NBA and third with the Timberwolves where he played in and started in 72 games this season averaging 12.0 points on 66.9% shooting, 10.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.44 blocks per contest. The 2024-25 season marked the ninth consecutive season he shot 65% or better from the field. He ended the season ranked ninth in the NBA in rebounding (10.9 rpg), third in field goal percentage (.669), sixth in offensive rebounds (3.7 rpg), and was ninth in total rebounds (785). Gobert’s best performance came against the Brooklyn Nets on April 11, leading the way for the Timberwolves with a season-high and career-high tying 35 points on 13-of-17 shooting, knocking down nine shots from the free throw line with a game-high 11 rebounds and a blocked shot, marking his first 30+ point game of the season (second career) and his first 30+ point/10+ rebound performance of the season (second career).
The Timberwolves finished the 2024-25 campaign with a 49-33 record, marking the first time since the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons that the team posted back-to-back 49+ win seasons (56-26 in 2023-24). The Wolves’ 49-33 mark is the sixth best record in franchise history. The Wolves clinched a spot in the NBA Playoffs for the fourth consecutive season and the 13th time in franchise history. Minnesota’s four straight trips to the postseason mark the most consecutive playoff appearances for the franchise since making the playoffs eight consecutive seasons from 1996-97- 2003-04.
(info courtesy of Timberwolves/NBA)
