Sprained rib could keep Rudy Gobert sidelined in Utah return

Despite three full off days after suffering an injury to his ribs Tuesday night against the Clippers, Timberwolves big man Rudy Gobert could miss Saturday's game against the Jazz in Salt Lake City. 

Gobert did not take part in the Timberwolves' Saturday morning practice and he's officially questionable on the injury report with a left rib sprain. Not participating in the morning shootaround is a indicator that he won't play in Saturday night's game, though stranger things have happened where a player winds up suiting up. 

The Wolves haven't provided any information about his "left rib sprain" so it's not clear if its something that will heal fast for linger. 

If Gobert doesn't play, it'll leaves the Wolves shorthanded in the frontcourt because Karl-Anthony Towns remains out and is recovering from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. 

That could yield a starting lineup of Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Kyle Anderson and Naz Reid, with Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Luka Garza and T.J. Warren supplying minutes off the bench. 

That said, Anderson and point guard Monte Morris are also questionable, Anderson with shoulder soreness and Morris with a hamstring injury. If both of them are out it could lead to big minutes for Jordan McLaughlin and maybe even Josh Minott. 

The Wolves get Sunday off before playing the Jazz in Utah again on Monday night. Then they fly back to Minneapolis to host the Nuggets Tuesday night.