KEY POINTS
- Anthony Edwards scored 26 points to lead Minnesota to a convincing 123-111 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
- The Timberwolves tied a season high by making 22 three-pointers, shooting nearly 47 percent from beyond the arc.
- Jaden McDaniels delivered a perfect shooting night from deep, finishing with 21 points on 5-of-5 three-point shooting.
The Minnesota Timberwolves delivered a statement victory on Thursday night, overwhelming the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder 123-111. Playing their fourth game in five nights, Minnesota showed no signs of fatigue at the Target Center. The home team relied on a historic shooting performance to secure their third consecutive win. From the opening tip, the Timberwolves dictated the pace and never trailed in the contest.
Anthony Edwards ignited the offense early, scoring 12 of his 26 points in the first quarter. He hit three of his four total three-pointers in the opening period alone. Minnesota’s perimeter attack was relentless, as the team converted eight shots from distance in the first 12 minutes. This early surge allowed the Timberwolves to build a double-digit lead that they would maintain for most of the evening.
Jaden McDaniels provided a nearly flawless supporting performance for the hosts. He scored 21 points while making all five of his attempts from three-point range. His efficiency on both ends of the floor proved vital in neutralizing the Thunder’s versatile wings. Meanwhile, Naz Reid continued his strong campaign for sixth man honors, contributing 18 points off the bench with four three-pointers.
The Timberwolves’ defensive effort was equally impressive throughout the matchup. They forced 16 Oklahoma City turnovers and converted those mistakes into 30 points. Rudy Gobert anchored the interior defense, finishing the game with 14 points and 10 rebounds. This defensive pressure limited the effectiveness of the Thunder’s transition game, which usually fuels their high-scoring offense.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 30 points in a losing effort for Oklahoma City. Despite his individual brilliance, the Thunder struggled to keep pace with Minnesota’s volume of long-range scoring. Center Isaiah Hartenstein provided a silver lining for the visitors, scoring 11 points in his return from a calf injury. However, the Thunder were ultimately outrebounded 46-36 and faced a 14-point deficit after just one quarter.
This victory moves Minnesota to a 30-19 record, lifting them to the fifth seed in the Western Conference standings. The team has completely reversed their fortunes after a difficult five-game losing streak earlier this month. For the Thunder, the loss marks just their 11th defeat of the season. They remain at the top of the conference but have now lost three of their last four games.
