Rudy Gobert will play for the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Denver Nuggets after attending the birth of his son.

When the Minnesota Timberwolves play the Denver Nuggets in Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Friday night in Minneapolis, Rudy Gobert is anticipated to return to the team.

The Timberwolves’ injury report omitted the Frenchman.

Gobert missed Game 2 due to the birth of his baby. This week, he was awarded his fourth NBA Defensive Player of the Year trophy. He watched on TV as his teammates defeated the Nuggets 106-80 on the road, more than making up for his absence with stifling defense.

Minnesota now leads the best-of-seven series 2-0 as a result of the win. The Timberwolves intend to keep that mindset going as they make their way back to Target Center, where they won both of their first-round playoff games against the Phoenix Suns and finished the regular season with a 30-11 record.

“It was amazing,” Gobert remarked. “I was obviously holding the baby and watching the game at the same time. But because it was something unique, I felt a little emotion at the same time. Their determination, focus, and energy were all there.

I’m not sure, but there was something unique about the way they emerged. They took the field for a 48-minute game. It was an amazing day, and for myself and, evidently, the entire company, an amazing way to close the day.”

Thanks in large part to their 22-year-old sensation Anthony Edwards, who is averaging 32.3 points in the postseason, Minnesota is 6-0 in the playoffs. Gobert is averaging a double-double with 13.2 points and 11.4 rebounds, while Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 20.7 points and 9.0 rebounds.

The Nuggets are the reigning NBA champions, and three-time MVP Nikola Jokic is the best player on the floor; he will be awarded the award again on Wednesday. This playoffs, he has set team records with averages of 27.0 points, 15.0 rebounds, and 9.4 assists.