Timberwolves' Taj Gibson tries to block shot with shoe

Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Minnesota Timberwolves forward Taj Gibson lost his shoe, but didn't give on a play against the Sacramento Kings, trying to use the sneaker to block a shot.

Gibson pulled off the odd defensive tactic in the first quarter of the Timberwolves' 132-105 victory on Monday at Target Center in Minneapolis.

Minnesota took an 11-4 lead on a Gibson layup at the start of the sequence. But he lost his shoe in the process. Gibson then sprinted back as Sacramento ran forward in transition.

Instead of stopping to put the shoe back on, Gibson held it high above his head in his right hand, while chasing Kings guard De'Aaron Fox. The ball eventually went to forward Nemanja Bjelica, who cut toward the rim.

Bjelica took Gibson off the dribble and neared the paint. He eventually put up a shot, while Gibson attempted to block it with the hand that was holding the shoe.

Gibson did not make contact with the attempt, which was blocked by Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns.

Gibson had 12 points, 10 rebounds and two assists in the win. Andrew Wiggins led the Timberwolves with 17 points. Minnesota had nine players score at least 10 points in the victory. Buddy Hield paced Sacramento with a game-high 21 points.