MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves put on an impressive display Thursday night, clinching a 116-101 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder, thus ending the latter’s seven-game winning spree. Naz Reid led the charge for the Timberwolves, finishing the game with 27 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists. This victory comes at a crucial time as the Wolves (31-25) head into the All-Star break, facing the West-leading Thunder (44-10) with a makeshift lineup due to the absence of their typical starting frontcourt players.
Alongside Reid, Anthony Edwards contributed significantly, scoring 23 points, while Jaden McDaniels added 21. The Timberwolves utilized a small-ball strategy effectively, showcasing the energy and talent of their younger players to overcome the challenges posed by missing four of their top eight scorers. Terrence Shannon, a first-round draft pick, was a standout contributor off the bench, scoring all of his 13 points in the first half.
For the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander attempted to keep his team competitive with a performance that netted him 24 points, along with nine assists and eight rebounds. However, he struggled initially, shooting just 2 for 13 in the first half. Following a victory over Miami the night before and with Chet Holmgren resting, the Thunder looked to maintain their momentum despite the demanding schedule.
Holmgren, the second pick of the 2022 draft, returned from a long absence due to a broken pelvis. He managed to make a noteworthy contribution with 11 points and 12 rebounds over 30 minutes, although his return has been gradual.
One of the game’s pivotal moments occurred when Edwards electrified the crowd with a spectacular dunk over Holmgren in the first quarter, celebrating with a fierce glare towards the taller player, who remained unresponsive to the display.
Notably, Gilgeous-Alexander’s streak of scoring 25 points or more in consecutive games ended at 22, as he entered the matchup boasting an average of 32.6 points per game.
Looking ahead, the Thunder will have a week off before facing Utah on February 21, while Minnesota prepares for a game against Houston the same day. This will set the stage for back-to-back matchups between the Timberwolves and Thunder in Minneapolis on February 23 and in Oklahoma City on February 24.
