Moments after a 42-point win, the Minnesota Timberwolves were determined to forget all about it.
Such is life in the NBA playoffs, as the Timberwolves hammered the Oklahoma City Thunder 143-101 in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals on Saturday night in Minneapolis. The Timberwolves pulled within 2-1 in the best-of-seven series with Game 4 coming up Monday night.
“You’ve got to erase this one,” Timberwolves star guard Anthony Edwards said. “This one is over. I know everyone is happy about this one, but we know OKC is going to come out and bring (a ton of) energy and be ready to go and they’re going to try to win Game 4. We’ve got to come out and exceed their energy and try to get a win and go back for Game 5. We’ll be ready.”
The Timberwolves certainly were ready in Game 3.
“Energy” and “force” were the most common words among Thunder coaches and players after the loss. They said the Timberwolves came out desperate to avoid a 3-0 series deficit, and after they built an early lead, they had the confidence and momentum to prevent the Thunder from ever gaining ground.
“They definitely landed their punches and we had a really hard time getting into the game,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said.
Thunder big man Chet Holmgren agreed.
“We’ve got to equal that force and be better,” Holmgren said. “It’s not complicated. Wherever they wanted to go, they got there.”
Both teams have realistic hopes of reaching the NBA Finals, and on Saturday the Timberwolves helped their cause.
Edwards scored 30 points on 12-for-17 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds. Julius Randle added 24 points on 9-for-15 shooting for Minnesota, and rookie Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 15 points off the bench.
Shannon earned praise from coaches and teammates alike after knocking down jump shots and fighting his way into the paint for hard-earned layups.
“You’re definitely going to see him more,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 14 points despite missing nine of 13 shots from the field for Oklahoma City. Ajay Mitchell scored 14 points off the bench, and Jalen Williams contributed 13 points.
The Timberwolves set a franchise record for most points scored in a playoff game.
Minnesota shot 57.3 percent (55 of 96) from the field and 50 percent (20 of 40) from beyond the arc. Oklahoma City shot 40.7 percent (35 of 86) overall and 31.8 percent (14 of 44) from 3-point range.
The Timberwolves wasted little time taking command. They jumped out to a 34-14 lead at the end of the first quarter, which included 3-pointers by Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Edwards in the final two minutes.
The Thunder trailed 13-9 when Minnesota went on a 12-0 run to seize a 25-9 advantage with 2:41 remaining in the first quarter. Edwards started the run with a 3-pointer, then had a driving dunk 15 seconds later.
By halftime, the Timberwolves increased their advantage to 72-41. Randle made a pair of free throws to put Minnesota on top by 33 points with 43.5 seconds left in the half, and Williams finished the first-half scoring with a 3-pointer for the Thunder.
Oklahoma City failed to cut into its deficit in the third quarter. The Thunder were outscored 35-29 during that session to fall behind 107-70.
Another 12-0 run by Minnesota turned a 74-52 lead into an 86-52 advantage midway through the third quarter. Jaden McDaniels started the run with a 3-pointer.
Both teams turned to reserve players in the final minutes with the score well out of reach.
–Field Level Media
