The Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t just win a basketball game on Friday night - they sent a message. In a gritty, high-energy battle that felt more like May than December, the Wolves took down the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, 112-107.
It was only OKC’s third loss of the season, and it came at the hands of a Minnesota squad that’s had its share of ups and downs early this year. But after this one?
It’s hard to argue the Wolves aren’t still firmly in the title conversation.
This game had all the makings of a postseason clash - intensity, physicality, big-time plays, and even a coaching ejection to spice things up. Chris Finch got tossed in the first quarter after a heated exchange with the officials, and while that could’ve rattled some teams, Minnesota used it as fuel. The Wolves responded with edge, energy, and execution, especially on the defensive end.
Let’s talk about Anthony Edwards. Back in the lineup after missing three games with a foot injury, Edwards looked every bit like the franchise cornerstone he is.
He poured in 26 points, pulled down 12 rebounds, and delivered the dagger - a cold-blooded step-back three over Cason Wallace that effectively sealed the win. But what really stood out was what he did when it mattered most.
Down the stretch, Ant was everywhere. He hit the go-ahead three, blocked Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on a drive, and then came up with the game-sealing steal.
That’s superstar stuff - not just scoring, but impacting the game on both ends when it’s hanging in the balance. That’s what separates good players from great ones, and Edwards continues to show he’s trending toward the latter.
But this win wasn’t just about one player. It was a full-team effort, especially on defense.
The Wolves came into the game ranked seventh in defensive rating (113.3), but they looked like the best unit in basketball on Friday night. They swarmed the ball, rotated with precision, played physical without fouling, and forced the Thunder into uncomfortable shots all night long.
The result? A 102.9 defensive rating for the game - a number that would make any coach proud - and OKC’s second-lowest scoring output of the season.
Outside of Shai, who got his buckets, the Thunder struggled to find rhythm against Minnesota’s relentless pressure. And when the Wolves defend like that, they can hang with - and beat - anyone.
What makes this win even more impressive is that Minnesota didn’t exactly light it up on offense. They shot just 38 percent from the field and 70 percent from the line.
Julius Randle struggled, going 3-for-15. Jaden McDaniels wasn’t much better at 4-for-13.
Shot selection was shaky at times, and the offense lacked flow. But they still found a way to win - and that says a lot.
Championship teams don’t always win pretty. They win tough.
They win ugly. And they win games where things aren’t clicking offensively because they can rely on defense, grit, and timely plays.
That’s exactly what the Wolves did.
Yes, there are still questions. Coming into this game, Minnesota was just 2-10 against teams above .500.
They’ve had issues closing games and still lack a traditional point guard to organize late-game offense. Those concerns don’t vanish overnight.
But nights like this force you to recalibrate. This is a team that’s been to back-to-back Western Conference Finals.
They’ve been in the fire. They know what it takes.
And when they defend like they did against the Thunder - when Ant takes over like that - they look like a team nobody wants to see in a seven-game series.
So let’s not overthink it. The Wolves are contenders.
Not potential contenders. Not dark horses.
Contenders, period.