In an unexpected high-scoring affair at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, the Timberwolves, known for their top-tier NBA defense, faced a challenging match against the Oklahoma City Thunder, resulting in a 129-106 defeat.
According to a report by AP News, The Thunder maintained a consistent lead throughout the game, propelled by a rapid pace and impressive 3-point shooting accuracy. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a standout player, coming close to a triple-double with 34 points, nine assists, and six rebounds. Teammates Jalen Williams and Luguentz Dort contributed significantly, scoring 21 and 20 points respectively, with Williams hitting 4 of 6 and Dort 5 of 6 from the 3-point line.
Chet Holmgren, a Minneapolis native and Minnehaha Academy graduate, also shone with 20 points, five assists, and four rebounds, making 3 of 6 3-pointers. Overall, the Thunder successfully made 18 3-pointers in the game.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch acknowledged the Thunder’s exceptional performance, noting that none of the defensive strategies employed by the Wolves proved effective. He commended the Thunder for their preparedness and execution.
The game kicked off with the Thunder rapidly establishing a 32-23 lead in the first quarter, maintaining their momentum with consistent 3-pointers. Anthony Edwards, leading the Wolves with 25 points, narrowed the gap at the end of the first quarter, bringing the score to 40-35 in favor of the Thunder.
Karl-Anthony Towns, returning from an injury, contributed 16 points for the Wolves, who found themselves only six points behind at halftime, despite the Thunder’s offensive onslaught.
However, the second half saw the Thunder, led by Gilgeous-Alexander’s 14 points in the third quarter, widen their lead again. The Wolves, unable to counter Gilgeous-Alexander’s dominance, trailed by 11 points at the end of the third quarter.
Coach Finch remarked on the difficulty of defending against the Thunder, especially when they shot as effectively as they did in this game. The Thunder’s ability to spread the court and penetrate the paint posed a significant challenge for the Timberwolves’ defense.