In a battle between two of the league’s brightest young stars, it was Anthony Edwards who got the final word - and the final stop.
With the game hanging in the balance, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did what he always does: attacked. He drove hard into the teeth of a collapsing Minnesota defense, looking to give the Thunder the lead in the closing seconds.
But Edwards had other plans. Rotating from the weak side, he elevated and swatted away what looked like a sure go-ahead layup.
A game-saving block, and a statement play from a rising star.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 35 points on 12-of-26 shooting, adding seven assists, five rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. He knocked down three of his seven attempts from deep and was perfect from the line, going 8-for-8. But despite another strong night from the reigning MVP, the Thunder came up short, falling 112-107 to the Timberwolves - their second loss in three games.
This one stung a little more, not just because of the result, but because of the matchup. Gilgeous-Alexander and Edwards have quietly built one of the league’s most compelling one-on-one rivalries.
There’s a mutual respect, sure, but no backing down. They go at each other every time.
Even their shoe sponsors have gotten in on the action, trading subtle jabs in marketing campaigns. And this time, it was Edwards who walked away with the win.
Early on, it looked like Gilgeous-Alexander was gearing up for one of those nights. He sliced through Minnesota’s defense in the first quarter, putting up 11 points and getting whatever he wanted.
But the second quarter told a different story. He went scoreless, struggling to find rhythm with his jumper - a rare cold spell that let the Timberwolves claw their way back into it.
Minnesota’s game plan was clear: make life as difficult as possible for SGA. But even with the defense keyed in on him, he found ways to create. The jumper may have gone missing for stretches, but his drives remained relentless - and effective.
In crunch time, Gilgeous-Alexander did what he does best. He welcomed the pressure, hit tough midrange shots, and looked every bit like the closer OKC counts on.
But the help didn’t come. While he kept the Thunder within striking distance, no one else stepped up to match his energy down the stretch.
That opened the door for Edwards, who seized the moment. He buried a clutch go-ahead three in the final seconds, then delivered the defensive dagger with that emphatic block on Gilgeous-Alexander. Two plays - one on each end - that defined the game.
Despite the loss, Gilgeous-Alexander was once again the best player on the floor for most of the night. It wasn’t his most efficient outing, but it was another reminder of how much he shoulders for this young OKC squad.
Unfortunately for the Thunder, one man can only do so much. Without secondary scoring or consistent rebounding, even a 35-point night from their MVP wasn’t enough.
After the game, Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t shy away from the late-game breakdowns.
“I got blocked and stripped late in the game,” he said. “I think the whole second half, we could’ve done a better job rebounding.
Giving a team like that extra possessions doesn’t help at all. We were doing a good job on the first-shot offense.
Especially when the game is being called that way. Doing a good job the first time is hard to do.
You get a stop, rebound and go the other way. When you don't, you give them a whole other opportunity to score.”
It was a night full of tension in Minnesota - and not just on the court. Back in the arena where the now-famous “free-throw merchant” chants first took off, Gilgeous-Alexander was the villain from the moment he touched the ball.
The boos rained down, the chants echoed through the broadcast, and Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch did little to calm the fire. But if the crowd thought they could rattle him, they were sorely mistaken.
“I don't care. Not one bit,” Gilgeous-Alexander said postgame.
“I can't control how the refs blow the whistle. Ever.
I've never been able to. Never been a ref.
All I can do is play basketball. That's all I focus on.
Trying to win games and championships.”
That’s the mindset of a franchise cornerstone. And while this one didn’t go his way, there’s no doubt Gilgeous-Alexander will be ready the next time these two teams - and these two stars - meet again.