HUNCHED OVER, scrolling through notifications on his phone after playing 40 minutes, nine-year NBA veteran Taj Gibson, 32, sits at his locker stall. It’s nearly silent inside of the Wolves’ spacious new locker room; Jimmy Butler tweaked his back and the lowly Phoenix Suns stole another win, effectively ruining the first Statement Saturday that brought 18,000 eager fans to Target Center hoping to see an easy win in the bold Aurora Green Nike uniforms.
On this disappointing night in Minneapolis, Gibson looks exhausted, but mentally he remains sharp.