Timberwolves Beat Thunder 112-107 as Edwards Dominates Late/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Anthony Edwards returned from injury to power Minnesota past Oklahoma City 112-107. Edwards hit the decisive three-pointer and made key defensive plays late. The loss marked just the third of the season for the defending champion Thunder.
Timberwolves vs Thunder Quick Looks
- Game: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Minnesota Timberwolves
- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Venue: Target Center
- Final Score: Timberwolves 112, Thunder 107
- Key Performer: Anthony Edwards
- Decisive Moment: Go-ahead three-pointer with 38.5 seconds left
- Thunder Star: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Minnesota Record: 18-10
- Oklahoma City Record: 25-3
- Notable Incident: Chris Finch ejected in first quarter
Timberwolves Beat Thunder 112-107 as Edwards Dominates Late
Deep Look
MINNEAPOLIS — Anthony Edwards wasted no time making his presence felt after returning from a three-game injury absence, delivering a clutch performance that lifted the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 112-107 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night.
Edwards finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds, but his impact was most pronounced in the final minute. With the Timberwolves trailing late, Edwards calmly knocked down a go-ahead three-pointer with 38.5 seconds remaining, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. It proved to be the defining shot in a tightly contested matchup between Western Conference contenders.
The win handed the Thunder just their third loss of the season and only their second defeat in the past three games. Oklahoma City entered the night with a dominant 25-2 record, building on momentum from last season’s NBA championship run.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 35 points and seven assists, carrying much of the offensive load. Despite his strong showing, Oklahoma City struggled to close the game as Minnesota’s defense tightened in the final possessions.
The closing sequence showcased Edwards’ all-around ability. After hitting the crucial three, he secured a defensive rebound to set up two free throws by Julius Randle. On the Thunder’s next possession, Edwards stepped in front of Gilgeous-Alexander to record a steal, effectively sealing the victory.
Randle contributed 19 points, though it came on a difficult shooting night, finishing 3-for-15 from the field. His missed free throw after making the first with 53 seconds remaining proved pivotal, allowing Minnesota to retain possession while trailing by two and setting the stage for Edwards’ heroics.
Minnesota received balanced support throughout the lineup. Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid each scored 15 points, while Rudy Gobert controlled the glass with 14 rebounds. The Timberwolves leaned on their depth and defense to overcome inconsistent shooting stretches.
The matchup carried added significance after Oklahoma City eliminated Minnesota in five games during last season’s Western Conference finals. Friday’s result offered a measure of redemption for the Timberwolves and underscored their growth as a contender this season.
The atmosphere inside Target Center reflected the magnitude of the moment. With the holidays approaching, a national television audience, and the defending champions in town, energy levels were high from the opening tip. That intensity boiled over early when Timberwolves coach Chris Finch was ejected midway through the first quarter after angrily disputing several non-calls. Finch had to be restrained by assistants and team security as he continued to voice his frustration with the officiating crew.
Offensively, both teams struggled early. The Timberwolves shot just 34 percent from the floor in the first half, while the Thunder weren’t much better at 39 percent. Even from the free-throw line, Minnesota had issues, though volume helped offset inefficiency as the Wolves made 33 of a season-high 47 attempts.
Despite the uneven shooting, Minnesota stayed within striking distance by defending aggressively and attacking the paint. Edwards, who has been managing soreness in his right foot, showed no hesitation when it mattered most, asserting himself late with confidence and composure.
For Oklahoma City, the loss served as a reminder that even elite teams face challenges on the road against motivated opponents. Gilgeous-Alexander remained efficient and composed, but the Thunder were unable to counter Minnesota’s late-game execution.
The Timberwolves improved to 18-10 with the victory and will look to build on the momentum as the schedule tightens. Oklahoma City, now 25-3, returns home for its next matchup as it continues to pace the Western Conference.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.