THE re-energized Minnesota Timberwolves delivered a resounding statement on Saturday night (Sunday, May 25, 2025, PH time), overwhelming the Oklahoma City Thunder with a dominant 143-101 victory in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals.
This commanding performance reduced the Thunder’s series lead to 2-1, injecting new life into the matchup.
Anthony Edwards was the undisputed catalyst for Minnesota, showcasing a spectacular all-around performance with 30 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, all achieved in just three quarters of play.
His offensive brilliance was complemented by Julius Randle, who added 24 points, and a significant boost from the bench, highlighted by rookie Terrence Shannon Jr.’s 15 points in just 13 minutes.
This collective effort allowed the Wolves to exploit weaknesses in the Thunder’s vaunted NBA-best defense, a stark contrast to their struggles in the two previous lopsided road losses.
For the Thunder, the night was a stark departure from their usual dominance. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the newly minted NBA MVP, was held to a mere 14 points on 4-for-13 shooting, committing four turnovers.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault effectively conceded the game early, substituting Gilgeous-Alexander with 4:25 remaining in the third quarter, as his team found themselves trailing by a daunting 38 points and were never closer than 22 notches after the early second quarter.
The shift in venue to Minneapolis appeared to significantly impact the Thunder’s shooting efficiency. After converting exactly half of their field goal attempts in the first two games, Oklahoma City managed a dismal 12 for 40 in the first half of Saturday’s contest.
Gilgeous-Alexander endured a prolonged scoring drought, going more than 13 minutes of game time without a basket.
The Target Center crowd, emboldened by their team’s performance, vociferously booed him on every touch and taunted him at the free-throw line with chants of “Free throw merchant!” a clear jab at the popular perception of his foul-drawing prowess.
Despite the Thunder’s expectation of a strong response from the Wolves after opening the series with two decisive wins, the ferocity of Minnesota’s counterpunch from the opening tip-off was unexpected.
The home crowd roared continuously, celebrating a complete performance devoid of the mid-quarter collapses that had plagued the Timberwolves in Oklahoma City.
Randle, who had experienced his first off-night of the postseason in Game 2, even being benched for the fourth quarter, rediscovered his rhythm and signature fadeaway. His renewed fire was palpable.
Edwards, too, found his touch from beyond the arc, sinking 5 of 8 three-pointers after converting just 1 of 9 in Game 2. He gave the quick-handed, ball-pressuring Thunder a taste of their own medicine, relentlessly pursuing loose balls and converting them into spectacular breakaway dunks.
Having been outscored by a combined 69-37 in the third quarter over the first two games, the Timberwolves left no room for a Thunder comeback in the second half of Game 3.
Edwards, tightly guarded by Isaiah Joe in the corner, created just enough space to drive along the baseline, executing a dazzling up-and-under reverse layup off the glass to extend Minnesota’s lead to 79-52, a moment that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Game 4 is scheduled for Monday night (Tuesday, PH time), once again in Minneapolis. / From the wires