The Timberwolves are 22-10 when Gobert grabs at least nine rebounds, 22-11 when he scores at least eight points, 16-5 when he attempts at least seven shots, 16-8 when he doles out two-plus assists and 6-2 when he blocks three or more shots. Those are the numbers required to be a championship-contending team.

At 32, Gobert is amid one of his worst statistical seasons but offered his most forceful performance of the season Saturday against Denver.

At issue was a brutal second half in which the Timberwolves were outscored 49-40 by the zombie Hawks, who were missing Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels and Bogdan Bogdanović. The Wolves still needed to play Rudy Gobert 38 minutes, Anthony Edwards 35 and Mike Conley 31 to ensure they finished off the Hawks.

The Wolves overcame miscues and a sloppy second half for a 100-92 victory despite De’Andre Hunter’s 35 points for injury-depleted Atlanta.