Rudy Gobert’s elite defensive skill on display in key moments during Utah Jazz’s win over Atlanta Hawks

ATLANTA — When you are the two-time defending NBA Defensive Player of the Year, it means every team knows how good you are at protecting your team’s basket and helping your team prevent your opponent from scoring. The Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert is that man. He has garnered respect from every corner of the NBA for his intelligent, cerebral approach to how he guards the paint and protects the rim. That talent was on full display Thursday night when the Jazz were able to hold off a late comeback attempt by the Atlanta Hawks as Utah won 111-106.

“I know if we want to win games, I have to do what I do best, which is to make plays defensively for my teammates and for my team.” — Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert

Gobert made two late blocks at the basket to seal the win and further cement his reputation for being the ultimate defender in the NBA.

“He’s Defensive Player of the Year, and not much else to say about that. It should be three times (or) will be three times,” said Donovan Mitchell. “That’s what he does. When (Atlanta Hawks forward DeAndre) Hunter went to the basket (late in the game), I think all of us just want to go get the rebound, because — no disrespect to him or anybody — but that’s just the Defensive Player of the Year, so that’s what he does.”

The Stifle Tower also posted his 20^th double-double with 20 points and 13 boards, which his coach noted followed his herculean effort and late-game heroics as the Jazz beat the Hawks for their fourth consecutive win.

“We had some really good individual efforts, Rudy obviously made some plays at the end,” said Utah head coach Quin Snyder. “I thought he, in spite of the (missed free throws) and maybe not finishing (at the rim on offense) as much as I think he’s capable of, he really did it when it counted on both ends.”

Gobert’s talents are also highly respected in the ATL. Before the game, Hawks head coach Lloyd Pierce mentioned how much confidence Gobert’s teammates — even with eight new players on the Utah roster this season — must have knowing he’s behind them protecting the rim at all costs.

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“They just know they have to fight, battle, make that (opponent) work, but if he gets into that paint, they’ve got a secondary defender back there,” Pierce said. “So there’s some comfort, even with their new guys of how they can defend the pick and roll.”

For Gobert, it’s all in a night’s work.

“I know if we want to win games, I have to do what I do best, which is to make plays defensively for my teammates and for my team,” he said.