Rudy Gobert, ruled out for the second game against the Nuggets after the birth of his son

DENVER — Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert will not play in Game 2 of their second-round series against the Denver Nuggets on Monday for personal reasons, Wolves coach Chris Finch said before the game.

Gobert became a father for the first time when he and his partner welcomed a baby boy Monday morning, sources told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.

“He’s out,” Finch said. “He won’t be here.”

Gobert was not present at shootaround and was listed as questionable for the game.

Finch said Gobert was unable to fly back to Denver on Monday in time to meet with the team for the game.

“There was definitely consideration and we looked at the timing of everything and I think just the timing of their circumstances, plus some weather conditions, made it really difficult,” Finch said. “And it didn’t look like he was really going to be able to get here and be ready to play.”

Finch said Gobert’s absence will mean more defensive minutes for Kyle Anderson and Karl-Anthony Towns against Denver’s first line, featuring reigning NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic.

“We might have to do some things differently,” Finch said. “But certainly everything begins and ends with KAT first and foremost.”

Minnesota played Denver on March 19 without Gobert, Towns and Naz Reid, and lost 115-112.

“I’d sure expect a faster Denver tonight,” Finch said of the Nuggets’ game plan against a Gobert-less Wolves team on Monday. “A more aggressive (Jamal) Murray and a more active (Aaron) Gordon on the glass. That’s what I would expect.”

Gobert, a finalist to win his record-tying fourth Defensive Player of the Year award, had 6 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks and a steal in the Timberwolves’ Game 1 victory Saturday in the semifinal series. of the Western Conference.

Gobert, an 11-year veteran trying to advance to the conference finals for the first time in his career, has averaged 13.2 points, 11.4 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1.2 steals per game as third-place Minnesota series, opened the playoffs with five consecutive victories. . The Timberwolves have outscored their opponents by 74 points in Gobert’s 175 minutes, ranking him as the second-best individual plus-minus in these playoffs.

Nuggets coach Michael Malone extended his best wishes to Gobert during his pregame comments.

“Congratulations to him,” Malone said. “I think I’m a first-time father. So congratulations to Rudy and his partner.”

However, he took no solace in the absence of the Wolves big man.

“Our approach doesn’t change anything,” Malone said. “We’re down 1-0. If our approach depends on Rudy Gobert being here or not, then we’re in trouble. Our approach is we’re down 1-0 and we have to do whatever it takes to get out.” there and get a victory.