Rudy Gobert was cleared on the Timberwolves' injury report Saturday, moving off the day-to-day designation he had carried since Friday. The center is on track to be available when Minnesota opens its season at the Heat on Wednesday.
What happened
Rudy Gobert was cleared on the Timberwolves' injury report Saturday at 1:34 p.m. ET, moving off the day-to-day status he carried since Friday. The report listed no specific injury detail and no comment attached to the update. It is the second time this month Gobert has cycled between day-to-day and cleared: he was day-to-day for rest on Oct. 16 and Oct. 10, and cleared from day-to-day in between on Oct. 12. No expected return date has been announced, since Gobert currently carries no injury designation.
What it means for the Timberwolves
Gobert's clearance means Minnesota should have its starting center for Wednesday's season opener at Miami, a 7:30 p.m. ET tip on ESPN. Last season Gobert played 76 games at 31.3 minutes, averaging 10.9 points and 11.5 rebounds, numbers that anchor the Timberwolves' interior defense and rebounding. The 2026-27 record stands at 0-0 since the season has not started, so there is no with-or-without split yet to measure his impact. When Gobert has been out, Naz Reid has absorbed frontcourt minutes, averaging 26.1 minutes and 13.6 points in those games, with Julius Randle also seeing extended run at 33.0 minutes and 21.1 points.
What to watch
The Timberwolves have not announced an expected return date for Gobert, since he currently carries no injury designation. His next appearance on the injury report would come ahead of Minnesota's season opener at the Heat on Oct. 21. Gobert has swung between day-to-day and cleared four times since Oct. 10, so another update before tip-off is possible. Minnesota has no other games scheduled before that opener.
Is Rudy Gobert playing vs the Heat?
Gobert is cleared on the Timberwolves' injury report with no designation, putting him on track to play when Minnesota opens its season at Miami on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
When will Rudy Gobert be back?
Gobert is not currently out. He was cleared from day-to-day status on the Timberwolves' injury report Saturday, and no expected return date has been announced because none is needed at this time.