Luka Dončić lives for big moments and bigger matchups. The NBA Playoffs will again deliver both. On Saturday, Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers will begin their series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. But for Dončić, this isn’t just another playoff clash. It’s a continuation of Luka Dončić’s favorite rivalry — a personal and professional battle with Rudy Gobert.
Luka Dončić Set To Resume His Favourite Rivalry With Gobert
Dončić Still Remembers That Shot
A few weeks ago, Dallas honored Dončić with a tribute video during his return. One clip stood out to him: his game-winner over Gobert in the 2024 Western Conference Finals. That step-back three symbolized more than just a victory. It showcased Dončić’s control over a long-standing matchup he never forgot.
Dončić admitted that he loves the pick-and-roll. He thrives on drawing centers into switches and breaking them down. “I like to get a center on me,” he said this week. Few matchups bring him more joy than Gobert — a four-time Defensive Player of the Year — switched onto him at the perimeter.
Why Gobert Brings Out Luka Dončić’s Best
Lakers coach JJ Redick explained the intensity behind this rivalry. “He thinks there’s not a person alive who can guard him,” Redick said. That confidence fuels Dončić every time he sees Gobert.
Gobert’s elite defensive resume only raises the stakes. Dončić knows that targeting Gobert is more than strategy. It’s a statement.
This Lakers-Timberwolves series feels much tighter than a normal 3 vs. 6 matchup. Minnesota finished with 49 wins, just one behind the Lakers. They closed the regular season with a 17-4 run. Still, Dončić knows how to take over. He has done it before — especially when Gobert is the target.
Their History Runs Deep
This rivalry didn’t begin in the NBA. It started internationally, during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Slovenia, led by Dončić, faced France in the semifinals. Gobert anchored the French defense and helped eliminate Slovenia. That loss denied Dončić a shot at Olympic gold.
The defeat stung. Dončić had dominated international basketball. That game changed everything. France ended Slovenia’s dream run, and Gobert stood in the middle of it all.
Three years later, Dončić got his chance to return the favor.
Dončić Strikes Back In 2024
During the 2024 Western Conference Finals, Dončić relentlessly attacked Gobert. He used every pick-and-roll to pull Gobert away from the basket. Then he went to work.
Dončić knew exactly what he was doing. Gobert’s slower feet and size made him vulnerable on the perimeter. Luka exploited that edge over and over again.
The defining moment came in Game 2. Dallas trailed by 18. Dončić led the comeback. With seconds remaining, he hit a step-back three right in Gobert’s face. Then he barked, “Motherf—er, you can’t f—ing guard me!”
That shot wasn’t just about winning the game. It was personal. It was payback.
This Isn’t the First Time
That wasn’t Dončić’s first game-winner over Gobert either. Back in 2022 at EuroBasket, Slovenia edged France again — thanks to Dončić. He scored 47 points and drained another big shot over Gobert. History repeated itself, and Dončić seemed to savor every second.
If you are wondering why Dončić is targeting him, it’s because of his success and his status as a celebrated hero in France and European basketball. Being a four-time Defensive Player of the Year winner puts him in an elite class of European basketballers. Gobert even has courts named after him. Dončić, is making a personal statement that not even the Defensive juggernaut Gobert that can stop him. Also, Gobert had a nasty poster on Dončić in that sane game in 2022.
With that context, this first-round series becomes more than just a playoff matchup. It’s another chapter in a growing rivalry.
What To Expect Now
As Dončić prepares for Game 1 against Minnesota, he’s not just chasing wins. He’s chasing legacy. He wants to prove — again — that not even a decorated defender like Rudy Gobert can stop him when it matters most.
Expect Dončić to go straight at Gobert early and often. Expect the fireworks. The rivalry is alive and well — and it’s about to get even hotter.
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