It became official less than an hour before the Timberwolves’ game against San Antonio at Target Center.

After missing 10 games because of a lower-back issue, big Wolves center Rudy Gobert returned to action, returned to the starting lineup and returned to a team that found an offensive rhythm in his absence.

The Wolves won their fifth consecutive game, 141-124 over a Spurs team playing without Victor Wembanyama, moving into a virtual tie with Golden State for sixth in the NBA’s Western Conference.

The Wolves scored a season high in points, tied a season high with 38 assists. They shot 55.8%, made 21 of 42 threes, had eight players score in double figures. Coach Chris Finch said Gobert’s return would require some adjustment to a team hitting its offensive stride.

“Do you believe in coincidence?” Gobert joked when talking about his return to a team that played as well offensively as it has all season.