Anthony Edwards delivered a dominant 30-point performance as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 143-101, preventing a series sweep in their Western Conference finals matchup.
Edwards contributed nine rebounds and six assists while shooting an efficient 12-of-17 from the field and 5-of-8 from three-point range. The victory brought Minnesota back into contention, trailing 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.
“I was super happy about the physicality and energy we brought,” Edwards said Saturday. “Being down 2-0, it’s all about bringing energy, and we brought high energy.”
Julius Randle scored 24 points as Minnesota established a franchise record for playoff points while thoroughly outplaying the regular-season leaders. Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, was held to just 14 points.
“We got punched in the mouth,” Gilgeous-Alexander acknowledged. “You get punched, it’s about getting back up. It’s about responding. That’s what the next challenge is.”
The series continues with Game 4 on Monday in Minneapolis and Game 5 on Wednesday in Oklahoma City, after Oklahoma City won the opening two games at home.
“I know everyone is happy about this one, but we know OKC is going to come out and bring hella-energy and they are going to be ready to go,” Edwards warned. “We’ve got to try and exceed their energy and get a win. We’ll be ready.”
Minnesota’s victory carried significant importance since no NBA team has ever overcome a 3-0 playoff series deficit.
“We just didn’t bring it from an energy and focus standpoint,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “They had the sense of urgency, knowing if they go down 3-0, it’s going to be pretty tough. They blitzed us pretty early, and we were never able to get back.”
The Timberwolves dominated throughout, leading by as much as 45 points late in the fourth quarter while setting their playoff scoring record.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault acknowledged Minnesota’s superiority. “They really took it to us. They were just much more physical, much sharper, executed better, and more forceful on offense. For the score to be what it was, they needed to outplay us in a lot of areas, and that’s what they did.”
Randle responded strongly after being benched late in Game 2. “He knows not to take anything too personal,” Edwards said. “I could see it in his eyes. He wanted his respect back, and he got it.”
Minnesota established control early, taking a commanding 72-41 halftime lead. Edwards shot 8-of-11 from the floor while recording 20 points and eight rebounds in the first half alone.
“We just weren’t able to bottle him up the way we had the first couple of games,” Daigneault said. “Credit him for the energy and force that he played with. He was really on it early.”
The Timberwolves led by as much as 35 points in the first half, setting a franchise record for playoff points in a half with 72. They capitalized on Oklahoma City’s struggles, scoring 13 points off 10 forced turnovers while the Thunder shot poorly at 12-of-40.
“The biggest thing is they came out and played with more force than we did,” Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren observed. “Wherever they wanted to go, they got there. They didn’t let us stop them.”
Edwards set the tone early with 16 first-quarter points, outscoring the entire Thunder team as Minnesota built a 34-14 advantage.
“Our intensity, from the first minute of the game, we set a tone,” Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert said. “Everyone came out with the mindset to be physical. We did a good job staying with it consistently through the whole game.”
Oklahoma City attempted a second-half comeback, opening with an 11-2 run, but Minnesota responded with a 10-0 surge and extended their lead to 103-61, forcing the Thunder to bench their starters in the third quarter.
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