Minnesota defeated the Thunder in ugly but exciting fashion on national television, handing Oklahoma City a narrow road loss in an environment that was ready to explode from the opening tip.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went toe-to-toe* with Anthony Edwards, who returned from a short absence and certainly looked like he was closer. OKC was challenged by the brawl, but found itself up 107-104 with just over a minute to go. But Edwards provided the game’s decisive sequence, sparking Minny’s 8-0 run to close the game. SGA and OKC were one or two plays short.
Final: Wolves (19-10) def. Thunder (25-3), 112-107
- Anthony Edwards was in reasonable control early, but then made a decision in the final minute: a step back from three for the lead with 38.5 seconds left, followed by a block on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s layup attempt to stay in front for good.
- Cason Wallace guarded Edwards’ shot as best he could. Just a great, cool shot from the Wolves star.
- Shai was Shai: 35 points, 7 assists and 4 shares in a five-point loss, matching shot-for-shot late until Edwards got the final say. He made several tough finishes throughout the game through a crowd of Wolves on the edge, just like the one he couldn’t convert to save the game.
- Chris Finch arrived ready to explode, was sent off midway through the first quarter and joined the rest of us watching from home.
- Finch’s early outburst set the tone for the rest of the game: lots of arms outstretched, lots of disbelief, lots of disbelief at a Thunder defense that refuses to get comfortable. Minnesota made 47 free throws to OKC’s 30, and was indignant that the difference wasn’t bigger.
- There is a conspiracy online about Shai and the whistle of Thunder. We reserve the right to publish rational content on this issue, but the attempts of reasonable analysts and fans to expose the brain-dead OKC/NBA Collusion observers will continue to fall on deaf ears.
- Minnesota didn’t win the turnover battle (13 TOs to OKC’s 11), but by combining that ball security with 18 offensive rebounds, they got enough turnovers and shot attempts to hold their own against OKC’s suffocating defense.
- It was a brutal shooting night for the Thunder: 11 of 39 from three, and just 37% overall.
- This was a “can they really do it?” game for me. There’s no shame in giving Ant and the Wolves the best chance in an ordinary season at Championship level. But you’ll have to pull off almost every miracle, catch a few breaks, and survive the toughest matchups to reach 74 wins. Their third loss drags them down even with the Warriors’ 73-win pace, but the odds are now so slim that they need another longer run to keep their hopes of the record alive.
- I still think they can do it.
- The Thunder were set to face Ant at the Prince City Edition court on the day of Kevin Garnett’s reunion with the Wolves franchise. That’s a lot of vibrations to contend with.
- Vink and Rudy Gobert zap Minny of most of his coolness though.
- Chet Holmgren has been a bit out of the offensive picture lately, entering the fourth quarter with just 8 points and 2 rebounds. But after a brutal fall, Chet asserted himself more. He sold out on both ends, grabbing 3 boards, sweeping 2 blocks and getting to the line 4 times. Holmgren is one of the tougher competitors in the game, but the team has an uphill battle on the boards when he is the biggest presence in the paint.
- Ajay Mitchell has coped well with the grief of losing his father. 14 points and more solid defense in this one.
One important conclusion: the ‘Best Shot’ era has arrived
OKC hasn’t been exposed to recent losses, but they have been tested. Three up with a minute to go, on the road, against a hyped crowd and a superstar who finished one, this is what life is like once you’re the team everyone wants to take down. The rest of the league is an angry mob, ready to mess things up to have a chance against the champions.
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