The Oklahoma City Thunder have consolidated their top position in the West with a 130-123 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder were able to fend off a late comeback by the Timberwolves.
The game was characterized by several phases, in each of which one team was able to pull ahead. The Thunder started strongly and built a 52-33 lead in the second quarter. But Minnesota fought back: led by Anthony Edwards (29 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists) and Naz Reid (16 points in the first half), the Timberwolves put together a 25-4 run to take a narrow 63-61 lead in at half-time.
The game remained hard-fought after the break. Minnesota capitalized on a strong shooting percentage and good ball movement to repeatedly gain slight advantages. However, the Thunder stayed in contention and retook the lead in the final minutes of the third quarter.
Decision in the final quarter
Minnesota opened the final quarter with a 6-0 run, but OKC hit back impressively. The Thunder pulled away decisively with an 18-4 run, initiated by top scorer SGA (37 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists). Aaron Wiggins and Alex Caruso played important roles from the bench. Wiggins scored 15 points, including three threes in the second half. Caruso contributed three buckets from downtown and an important steal to turn the game around. Isaiah Hartenstein came close to a double-double with 12 points (9 rebounds, 5 assists).
Nevertheless, Minnesota still had a chance to make the game exciting again. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Gilgeous-Alexander’s cousin, cut the deficit to three points with two consecutive threes. But Edwards missed a difficult stepback three in the final minute, which ultimately allowed the Thunder to hold on for the win.
With the win, OKC (46-10) further extends its lead at the top of the Western Conference and is now nine wins ahead of its pursuers from Denver and Memphis. They have only lost a single game in the last 25 days – and that was against Minnesota on February 13.
For the Timberwolves (31-27), it was their fourth loss in their last five games. They also had to play without their two starting bigs, Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle. Jaylen Clark, who was only playing his second game in the starting five, had to leave the game after a hard fall on the back of his head in the third quarter.
Second leg already this coming night
The two teams will face each other again on Monday night in Oklahoma City. The Timberwolves will be looking for revenge, while the Thunder want to extend their series.
