Timberwolves Dominate Thunder 143-101, Narrowing Series Gap
In a commanding performance, Anthony Edwards scored 30 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and dished out six assists in just three quarters, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 143-101 victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night. This win cuts the Thunder's lead in the Western Conference finals series to 2-1.
Julius Randle contributed significantly with 24 points, while rookie Terrence Shannon Jr. added 15 points in only 13 minutes, showcasing a strong bench effort for the Timberwolves. After struggling in the first two games, Minnesota exploited weaknesses in Oklahoma City's top-ranked defense, which had previously stifled their offense.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the newly crowned NBA MVP, faced a tough night, scoring just 14 points on 4-for-13 shooting and committing four turnovers. He was pulled from the game with 4:25 left in the third quarter as the Thunder trailed by 38 points, a clear indication of their struggles throughout the match.
Game 4 is set for Monday night in Minneapolis, where the change in venue appeared to impact the Thunder's shooting performance. After hitting half of their shots in the first two games, they managed only 12 for 40 in the first half on Saturday.
Gilgeous-Alexander experienced a lengthy scoring drought, going over 13 minutes without a basket as the Target Center crowd jeered him with chants of "Free throw merchant!"—a reference to his reputation for drawing fouls.
The Timberwolves anticipated a strong response after two losses, and they delivered a powerful counterattack from the outset. The crowd remained energized throughout, avoiding the late-game collapses that plagued them in Oklahoma City.
Randle rebounded from a disappointing Game 2 performance that saw him benched during the fourth quarter, showcasing his signature fadeaway shot once again.
Edwards found his shooting touch from beyond the arc, hitting 5 of 8 three-pointers after struggling with just one make in Game 2. He demonstrated his ability to turn defensive pressure into offensive opportunities, converting loose balls into breakaway dunks.
Having been outscored 69-37 in the third quarter across the first two games, the Timberwolves ensured they maintained control this time. Edwards, tightly guarded by Isaiah Joe, maneuvered along the baseline to execute an impressive up-and-under reverse layup off the glass, extending their lead to 79-52.
