Good since the All-Star break, Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert now returns to the NBA playoffs ready to show there’s still a place for the big man there. He has sometimes been minimized in his career by opponents who have taken him away from the basket — and out of the game — by going small.

Over the 13 games since Gobert returned from injury, the Wolves have scored 8.9 more points and allowed 17.2 fewer points per 100 possessions.