Rudy Gobert Reacts to Fourth-Place Finish in NBA Defensive Player of the Year Voting

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has voiced his frustration after being named fourth in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting, stating that the result “is not the first time I’ve felt disrespected.” The four-time Defensive Player of the Year award winner made the comments following Minnesota’s playoff game against the Denver Nuggets on April 20, 2026.

The announcement came shortly after Gobert helped limit Nikola Jokic to just 1-for-7 shooting in the fourth quarter of Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals, a performance that held the three-time MVP to only eight points in the final period as the Timberwolves tied the series at 1-1.

“I’ve had the chance. A top-three defender can’t do that. So I got lucky,” Gobert said ironically when asked about his defensive effort against Jokic. His comments came amid visible disappointment over the Defensive Player of the Year results, which were unanimous for Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs.

Gobert, who has won the award in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2024, received only 33 second-place votes and finished with 41 total points in the voting. He was outpaced by Ausar Thompson of the Detroit Pistons, who finished third with 60 points, and Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who ran away with second place and 239 points.

The French international center, who stands at 7-foot-1 and plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves, has been a mainstay on the NBA’s All-Defensive teams throughout his career. After being drafted 27th overall by the Denver Nuggets in 2013, Gobert spent his first seven seasons with the Utah Jazz before being traded to Minnesota in 2022.

Throughout his NBA career, Gobert has established himself as one of the league’s premier rim protectors, leading the league in blocks multiple times and consistently ranking among the top defenders in advanced metrics. His defensive impact has been a cornerstone of the Timberwolves’ success since his arrival in Minnesota.

The 33-year-old Saint-Quentin native has also been a regular fixture for the French national team, earning over 100 caps and winning two Olympic silver medals. His international experience has complemented his NBA defensive reputation, which made the fourth-place finish particularly difficult to accept.

Gobert’s reaction highlights the ongoing debate about how defensive impact is measured in the NBA, with traditional statistics sometimes failing to capture the full extent of a defender’s influence on opponents’ shot selection and positioning. The Timberwolves center has long been regarded as altering more shots than his block totals suggest through his mere presence in the paint.

As the Timberwolves prepare for Game 3 of their series against the Nuggets, Gobert’s defensive performance will remain crucial to Minnesota’s chances of advancing. His frustration with the Defensive Player of the Year voting may serve as additional motivation on the court.

The next checkpoint in the series is Game 3, scheduled for April 22, 2026, in Denver.

What are your thoughts on Gobert’s reaction and the Defensive Player of the Year voting? Share your perspective in the comments below.