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MINNEAPOLIS— What impact does a 42-point thrashing have on the team that delivered the defeat? What about the team that suffered the loss? And how does it reshape the dynamics of the Western Conference Finals, leaving fans scratching their heads over the unexpected outcome?
These are all astute inquiries that will be explored in time. One thing is evident: The Timberwolves shook up the top-seeded Thunder and the series itself with their unwavering resilience after trailing 2-0.
With their commanding victory in Game 3 against a squad that notched 68 wins during the regular season, the Wolves might be perceived differently moving forward. They have eliminated the possibility of being swept. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will not easily dominate Anthony Edwards. Should the Wolves maintain this intensity during their home game on Monday (8:30 ET, ESPN), the series could very well be tied at two games each.
Undoubtedly, this represented the Wolves’ peak performance. Their three-point shooting was on point. Their defense was formidable. They demonstrated improved decision-making with the ball. Their superstar raised his level of play. They even gave Terrence Shannon Jr. — who you likely know by now — an opportunity to make his mark.
They avoided the damaging lapses that had hindered them in the first two games, lapses that allowed OKC to gain a foothold and extend their leads.
The Wolves tallied a playoff-record 143 points against the league’s top defense, an outcome that seemed improbable. They dealt OKC its most significant defeat of the season. Essentially, the Wolves did everything right, denying any chance for suspense or drama to creep into Target Center. That’s why it feels as though the series has been revitalized.
Here are five key highlights from the Wolves’ victory over the Thunder.
In a young star’s career, there are pivotal moments where they must choose: stick with the familiar or rise to the occasion? Edwards made a decisive move on Saturday, rescuing the Wolves’ season while enhancing his reputation in the process.
In Game 3, he had little choice. The series was slipping away from the Wolves and Gilgeous-Alexander was outpacing him in the battle of superstars.
From the get-go, Edwards played aggressively, igniting his teammates to mirror his fervor, which is why the Wolves took control early in the game. He fulfilled the role expected of a leader and centerpiece. The moment called for it.
With stepback threes, aggressive drives to the basket, gliding through defenders, and mid-range pull-ups, he not only rebounded in traffic but also deftly handled double-teams by finding teammates for open shots. That was Edwards until OKC recognized the futility of their efforts.
Edwards has now set a new standard for himself after struggling through much of Game 1. He was the sole bright spot in the Wolves’ Game 2 defeat, and now this stellar performance followed. To turn this series around, he’ll need to sustain this level of play.
“That’s what we required from him to elevate our team,” said Wolves coach Chris Finch. “He’s adapting quickly and gaining valuable insights. He’s becoming more at ease with his role.”
Gilgeous-Alexander had been on a scoring tear, averaging 29.7 points in the semifinals and 27.8 in the first round. To find his last subpar outing, you must revisit the opener of the first series, where it didn’t matter much; OKC triumphed by 52 points against Memphis.
Thus, Game 3’s performance was particularly striking.
Who would have predicted that Shai would be outperformed by a little-utilized rookie (Shannon) in a playoff scenario?
This was a far cry from the newly-crowned Kia MVP, as he struggled to find his rhythm, witnessed shots rim out or miss entirely, and ultimately became a non-factor.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s shooting line was 4-for-13, and his turnovers equaled his field goals made. His 14 points marked a season low and were around 19 points below his average.
Adding to the irony, after benefiting from questionable foul calls in the previous two games, Shai faced relentless boos from the crowd every time he got the ball — “free-throw merchant,” they mocked — which was quite unusual for him on the road.
Fortunately for Timberwolves supporters, Gilgeous-Alexander attempted just four free throws. That’s four buckets, four free throws, four turnovers. Or, paraphrasing Moses Malone from the 1983 playoffs, ‘fo, ‘fo, and ‘fo.
“We did a better job of being disciplined around him,” Finch said with a sly grin. “He won’t have many nights like this, so we consider ourselves fortunate.”
Following his team’s daunting 2-0 deficit, Finch knew adjustments were essential to catch OKC off guard. Yet he exceeded expectations: he astonished OKC by utilizing a player who had only seen minimal minutes in the G League for much of the season.
Shannon previously played just 20 playoff minutes leading up to Saturday’s game, making Finch’s decision a bold one, born out of desperation, confidence, or a mix of both. Regardless, it paid off handsomely.
After entering in the second quarter while the game remained somewhat in reach, Shannon played with a determination that was evident. He scored on his first two touches, making an immediate impact on the floor; he had clearly shaken off the rust.
“We knew he’d be crucial for us this series, and the coach believes in him,” said Julius Randle.
Shannon erupted for nine points in a rapid four-minute stretch during the second quarter, akin to a winter storm. The crowd erupted into applause as he left the floor. Given the circumstances, it was undoubtedly a career-best outing; he ended the night with 15 points over 13 minutes.
“I’ve always put in the work,” he stated. “I was ready for whenever my name was called, and I’ll be ready again when it’s called.”
It doesn’t matter if Shannon doesn’t repeat this performance for the rest of the series; his contributions were pivotal in achieving victory. Now he’s a name to watch in the scouting reports.
Wherever the Thunder typically excel defensively, the Timberwolves managed to set records instead. This time, Minnesota claimed a franchise playoff record with 72 points in the first half.
It was remarkable to see the Thunder’s attempts at challenges leading to nothing—swatting at shots only to grasp at air and failing to prevent the Wolves from capitalizing.
The most points OKC had allowed in a playoff game this season was 121 against the Nuggets. Moreover, they surrendered an average of only 107 points per game throughout the season. Some context is necessary, given that Game 3 was a complete blowout that spiraled out of control when the benches cleared in the fourth quarter.
However, at one point, OKC was down by 37 entering the final quarter, before the subs took over, and 31 points at halftime.
“Their intensity exceeded our usual physicality and pressure, which are typically our strengths,” acknowledged OKC coach Mark Daigneault. “We’ll regroup and come back stronger.”
For the second consecutive game, Randle didn’t see the court in the fourth quarter. The difference? He was smiles on the bench in Game 3 rather than seething in Game 2.
Finch’s surprising choice to keep Randle off the court in the fourth of the previous game was due to his abysmal performance, which was decidedly his worst of the playoffs. He was understandably upset, partly due to the especially short leash he felt he had, and also because, as he expressed, “I’m a competitor.”
“We talked this morning. It wasn’t solely his fault,” Finch explained. “We were down, necessitating a change in the game’s dynamics on the floor. I was genuinely proud of his response. We needed him back in his element.”
Randle remarked: “Of course, I want to be on the floor and I know he has faith in me to do that. I trust him to do what is best for the team. The key now is how you bounce back. I just wanted to be assertive.”
And assertive he was. Randle came out fired up, playing with enthusiasm—maybe even some edge. He finished with 24 points on 9-for-15 shooting, and importantly, without any turnovers.
These games hold significance for Randle. He is eager to shed the playoff reputation he has, fairly or unfairly, associated with his time with the Knicks. Furthermore, he could become a free agent this summer. After a brief setback, he appears to be back on course—and back on the court in the fourth quarter.
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Shaun Powell has been covering the NBA for over 25 years. You can reach him by email here, explore his archives here, and follow him on X.
The opinions expressed on this page do not necessarily reflect those of the NBA, its teams, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
