The Minnesota Timberwolves are one loss away from elimination, and Rudy Gobert said the focus ahead of Friday’s Game 6 against the San Antonio Spurs starts with discipline and accountability.

Minnesota trails the Western Conference semifinal series 3-2 after a 126-97 loss in Game 5 on Tuesday. The Timberwolves now return home to Target Center needing a win to force a Game 7 in San Antonio.

Gobert pointed repeatedly to execution and physicality when discussing what has gone wrong in the series.

“It’s on us to keep doing the things that we can control,” Gobert said Thursday. “Whatever we agree to do on any specific situation, try to do that. And you’re not always going to stop the other team, but at least we give ourselves a chance to put ourselves in the best situation possible.”

The four-time Defensive Player of the Year said Minnesota’s early-game struggles have hurt the team throughout the series. The Spurs have scored at least 109 points in each of their three wins and dominated the Timberwolves from the opening tip in Game 5.

“I think just bring the physicality,” Gobert said about avoiding another slow start. “Be focused on the game plan and then once again if they make a run they make a run but at least we know that we putting ourselves in the best position possible to have a great start.”

Minnesota eliminated the Denver Nuggets in six games during the first round, but Gobert said the group cannot rely only on past playoff comebacks for confidence.

“That experience only means that we have a group that’s capable of accomplishing incredible things,” Gobert said. “Now it’s a different team, different series, different year.”

The veteran center also stressed that belief inside the locker room remains strong despite the series deficit and outside doubt.

“We are realistic but we also believe in our chance,” Gobert said. “We believe in who we are and even if the whole world is not believing in ourselves like we do believe in ourselves as long as we have that belief anything is possible.”

Gobert said preparation becomes even more important with the season on the line Friday night.

“Once you’re out there, you’re out there,” he said. “It’s about the work that you’ve put in years from now, days from now, weeks from now and it’s about just being ready individually and collectively to give everything you have.”

The Timberwolves have leaned heavily on resilience during their playoff run. They erased a 1-0 deficit against the Nuggets in the first round and split two home games against San Antonio earlier in this series.

Gobert believes the roster’s mentality gives Minnesota a chance to extend the matchup.

“There’s no one in this group that I think is someone that is a quitter,” Gobert said. “I think we have guys that when facing adversity going to give the best of what they have.”

Minnesota will again need strong production from Anthony Edwards, who is averaging 21.3 points this postseason, while Gobert enters Game 6 averaging 9.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in the playoffs. The Timberwolves will remain without Donte DiVincenzo, who is out with a right Achilles tendon repair.

Meanwhile, the Spurs have received balanced production throughout the postseason from Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox. San Antonio finished the regular season 62-20 and has won two of three games in Minneapolis during the series.

Game 6 is scheduled for Friday at 8 p.m. ET in Minneapolis.