Minnesota Timberwolves rekindle their West finals aspirations, demolishing the Oklahoma City Thunder with a stunning 42-point victory
In a decisive shift during Game 3 of the Western Conference finals, the Minnesota Timberwolves convincingly overcame the Oklahoma City Thunder, clinching a 143-101 victory. This triumph brings the series to a tense 2-1 standoff, with the next game scheduled for Monday night (Tuesday, May 27, Manila time).
Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves' star guard, spearheaded the charge, amassing 30 points on 12-for-17 shooting and snagging nine rebounds. Edwards's performance exemplified his driving and shooting prowess, playing a pivotal role in the team's early success.
Julius Randle added 24 points on 9-for-15 shooting, while rookie Terrence Shannon Jr. contributed 15 points off the bench. Shannon Jr. impressed with his jump shots and persistence in the paint, earning praise from coaches and teammates alike.
The Thunder faced adversity, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 14 points despite missing nine of his 13 field goal attempts. Ajay Mitchell and Jalen Williams also scored 14 and 13 points, respectively.
This commanding performance by the Timberwolves marked a franchise record for points scored in a single playoff game. They maintained a high shooting percentage, hitting 57.3% of their field goal attempts and 50% of their three-pointers, while keeping turnovers to a minimum. In contrast, the Thunder struggled, shooting just 40.7% from the field and 31.8% from beyond the arc.
The Timberwolves asserted their dominance from the outset. They built a formidable 34-14 lead during the first quarter, thanks in part to a pair of late three-pointers by Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Edwards. The Thunder struggled to keep pace, even as the Timberwolves continued to extend their advantage throughout the game.
Coach Mark Daigneault of the Thunder acknowledged the difficulty his team faced, noting that the Timberwolves "landed their punches" and made it extremely difficult for OklahomaCity to regenerate momentum. Chet Holmgren agreed, emphasizing that their primary concern for Game 4 is matching the Timberwolves' force.
The Thunder will need to improve their defensive strategies to remain competitive in the series, as the Timberwolves demonstrated a potent offense that capitalized on the Thunder's early miscues and controlled the tempo effectively.
In the face of Anthony Edwards' impressive display of driving and shooting prowess, scoring 30 points and securing nine rebounds, basketball became thetalk of the town as the Minnesota Timberwolves showcased their NBA-worthy skills during Game 3. The team's dominance, characterized by a record-breaking 143-101 victory, left the Oklahoma City Thunder in a precarious position with the series now at a tight 2-1 standoff.
