In the 2021-22 season, his last one with the Utah Jazz, Rudy Gobert led the league, averaging 14.7 rebounds per game. It was the seventh-straight year that he had a double-figure average, and Gobert is in line to extend that streak to 11 straight seasons this year.
In the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 141-115 victory over the Washington Wizards on Sunday, the 33-year-old Gobert grabbed another 14 boards. His average has been steadily rising as the season has gone along, and he could have the opportunity to lead the league for a second time.
Gobert grabbing boards with the best of them
Playing in all 36 of the Timberwolves’ games thus far on the season, Gobert is currently averaging 11.1 rebounds per contest. That has him third in the league behind Nikola Jokic (12.2) and Karl-Anthony Towns (11.8). Keep in mind that a player must appear in 58 games to qualify (or have 0-rebound games added to their ledger to get to 58). With Jokic out for a minimum of four weeks with a hyperextended left knee, he will likely have to remain mostly healthy when he returns to reach 58.
While Gobert is still a bit behind for the league lead, it’s been his work on the glass of late that gives him a chance if he keeps it up. Over his last nine games, the 7-foot-1 big man is averaging 12.8 rebounds.
It won’t happen because of the NBA media’s agenda against Rudy Gobert but he should be an All-Star this year
— Timberwolves Talk (@LetsTalk_Wolves) January 5, 2026
He’s playing at such an elite level
It was a slow start for the rebounding great as nine of his first 14 games saw him finish with less than 10 points. In the ensuing 22 outings, that has happened only five times.
Earlier this season, Gobert became the 45th player to reach the 10,000 career rebound milestone. While he has just one rebounding title to his name, Gobert has come close numerous times. He has finished as the runner-up in the rebounds per game leaderboard once and fourth four times.
Looking to lead the league in field goal percentage again
Where a lot of the bold ink comes from on Gobert’s Basketball Reference page comes from the field goal percentage category. He has led the league three times in his career and is the league leader this year as well, at 71.4 percent. The lead isn’t large, though, as Deandre Ayton isn’t too far behind at 70.4 percent.
It’s been a very solid season for Gobert, which has been important to see as age-related concerns have mostly dissipated. He is still a defensive anchor, as the Timberwolves’ defense falls apart with Gobert off the court. Now in his 13th year, Gobert is still one of the standouts on that end as well as one of the best at cleaning the glass.