In a thrilling Western Conference showdown, the Oklahoma City Thunder edged out the Minnesota Timberwolves with a final score leading 96-95 with just 35 seconds left on the clock. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the standout performer for the Thunder, contributing 33 points, 6 assists, and 2 steals, including a pivotal 3-pointer that put his team ahead in the dying moments of the game. The Thunder's victory was bolstered by their bench, which added 28 points, and their accuracy from the free-throw line, going 16-18. Both teams displayed their defensive mettle, tied at 18 paint points each at halftime, a testament to their status as two of the league's best in minimizing paint points allowed. With this win, the Thunder now leads the season series 2-1 against the Timberwolves and narrows the gap to just one game behind them for the top seed in the West.
"MVP. MVP." Shai scored 11 of his 33 in the 4th quarter of the Thunder's comeback win vs the Wolves. #ThunderUp https://t.co/uTANMruDcc
Anthony Edwards on the loss to the Thunder: “It’s hard to contain them with the calls that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gets… You can’t touch him any time of the game. It’s super hard to beat. That team is a good team, especially when they’re getting calls like that.” (via… https://t.co/d3wpPWUvEP
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander guides Thunder to thrilling win over Timberwolves #MinnesotaTimberwolves #OklahomaCityThunder #ShaiGilgeousAlexander https://t.co/yRfM0L0fW5
Updated West Standings ‼️ SGA's clutch performance puts OKC 1 game behind MIN for the top seed! For more, download the NBA App: 📲https://t.co/oRfhdB8ZfO https://t.co/Z1dqaCi1wi
#Gonzaga sprints out to big lead in first half, routs #USD 105-64. Mark Few: “To go on the road and play defense the way we played in these two games I think is a really, really good sign for us.” https://t.co/ABXUh3ld6h https://t.co/u6PQ4dqfvw
Joe Few made his first career field goal for #Gonzaga tonight. Dad’s analysis of the play? “It was the right basketball play. They were up into him, he did a good job driving. He likes that little runner. I’m not sure I like the 10-foot runner, but he likes to shoot that.” https://t.co/dqHTaLfql3
OKC clinches at least a split of tiebreaker over Wolves. Massive win for playoff implications. They lead 2-1 with one more to go.
SGA came through in the CLUTCH to give OKC the win over the top seed in the West ⛈️ 33 PTS 6 AST 2 STL https://t.co/4xahv2NZ03
What a great fucking win by OKC. Being able to win ugly on the road against the number one seed in the West after this long road trip is just insanely impressive.
The Thunder take down the Timberwolves in the battle of the West's top two seeds 👀 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tonight ⚡️ 33 PTS | 10-22 | 6 AST https://t.co/nfSCfMdknO
Incredible win for the Thunder in Minnesota. Got down, totally suffocated by the Wolves D, but never let go of the rope. Big time tone-setter for the second half of the season.
#1 in West vs. #2 in West going down to the wire! @okcthunder - 96 @Timberwolves - 95 TIMBERWOLVES BALL! 35 SECONDS LEFT 👀 Thunder-Timberwolves | Live on the NBA App 📲 https://t.co/S8xtXnr4ty
SGA SINKS THE BIG TIME 3-POINTER TO TAKE THE LEAD WITH 1 MINUTE LEFT 🤯 Thunder-Timberwolves | Live on the NBA App 📲 https://t.co/S8xtXnr4ty https://t.co/yz8WokZTyc
Anthony Edwards with the tough finish to take a 94-92 lead! Thunder-Timberwolves | Live on the NBA App 📲 https://t.co/S8xtXnr4ty https://t.co/jOwejY01xQ
SGA gets crafty to tie it 90-90 in Minnesota! Thunder-Timberwolves | Live on the NBA App 📲 https://t.co/S8xtXnr4ty https://t.co/OCJgRbqo5h
KAT with the reverse SLAM 🔨 (via @NBATV) https://t.co/m5JSI6mE48
Timberwolves' ball movement leads to the emphatic KAT reverse slam 💪 Thunder-Timberwolves | Live on the NBA App 📲 https://t.co/S8xtXnr4ty https://t.co/D6uU2UU1qx
KAT rocks the rim with the reverse slam 😤 https://t.co/u1a2uy5ZTS
Quick Timberwolves ball movement leads to the emphatic KAT reverse slam 💪 Thunder-Timberwolves | Live on the NBA App 📲 https://t.co/S8xtXnr4ty https://t.co/XnoxhUdymY
Anthony Edwards goes behind the back and then finishes with an acrobatic layup! Thunder-Timberwolves | Live on the NBA App 📲 https://t.co/S8xtXnr4ty https://t.co/WweJeg38j3
Thunder and Wolves each scored 18 points in the paint in that first half. The two teams are tied for fourth in the NBA in fewest paint points allowed, 46 per game. OKC scores 54.4 ppg in the paint (third in the league), MIN 51.4 (13th).
Great defensive coordination here between Lu Dort and Chet Holmgren, leading to an Anthony Edwards turnover. The Thunder had 8 steals in the first half. https://t.co/zX7bK38Uio
Highly entertaining first half. OKC starters drubbed Wolves starters. Wolves bench drubbed OKC bench.
Good team defense from Minnesota here. Ant guarding Shai in P&R, KAT is at the level. Shai turns the corner but watch Rudy step up to take the drive and KAT flows to the corner. Chet was open but OKC didn't see it, stunt, recover and contest from Edwards. https://t.co/6UnHqHM6GU
Jordan McLaughlin finishes the crossover with a tough reverse finish! Thunder-Timberwolves | Live on the NBA App 📲 https://t.co/S8xtXnr4ty https://t.co/SmyKfzivot
Josh Giddey tosses it behind his back leading to an OKC bucket! Thunder-Timberwolves | Live on the NBA App 📲 https://t.co/S8xtXnr4ty https://t.co/SnNl8dEOFP
Great win for Oklahoma! Some big positives that Porter will want to see continue: 28 bench points (‼️) 16-18 on free throws 41-34 rebound adv vs a bigger team Plus, road wins count as double as per @Eddie_Rado!
That’s a VERY solid road win for the Sooners! Well done men! #Boomer
Wolves-Thunder. Saturday night at Target Center. 1 vs 2. Cannot wait.