Timberwolves Outmuscle Short-Handed Thunder in 123-111 Win
The Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t just beat the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night - they imposed their will. From the opening tip to the final buzzer, Minnesota looked like a team in rhythm, in sync, and in control. And when Donte DiVincenzo drilled a corner three midway through the third quarter, then turned to the courtside crowd and blew a kiss, it felt like the exclamation point on a performance that had already spoken volumes.
For the Timberwolves, this was a statement win. For the Thunder, it was a night where absences and execution issues caught up to them - and where even a strong showing from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t enough to close the gap.
OKC’s Second Unit Felt the Absence of Williams and Mitchell
Oklahoma City came into this one without two of their key second-unit playmakers: Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell. And it showed.
Midway through the first quarter, Isaiah Joe tried to create something off the dribble, only to be met by Minnesota’s wall-like interior defense. The ball zipped around the perimeter - from Joe to Cason Wallace to Lu Dort - but no one could crack the Timberwolves’ shell.
Eventually, the possession ended with a tough fadeaway from Kenrich Williams that clanged off the rim. It was a microcosm of the Thunder’s night when their starters weren’t on the floor.
Minnesota, currently boasting one of the league’s top defensive ratings, made life difficult even for full-strength teams. But with Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Aaron Wiggins off the floor during stretches, OKC’s offense sputtered.
That’s typically where Williams and Mitchell step in to stabilize and create, but both continue to rehab - Williams from a right hamstring strain and Mitchell from an abdominal strain. No return timeline has been announced.
In the meantime, Wiggins is expected to rejoin the second unit soon, which should help. Wallace, who returned from a one-game absence due to hip soreness, came off the bench Thursday but is likely headed back to the starting five.
Timberwolves Fans Bring the Noise - and the Heat - for SGA
Target Center was loud all night, and the crowd had a specific target in mind: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
When SGA finally got to the free-throw line for the first time - with just over six minutes left in the second quarter - the fans let loose with a familiar chant: “Free-throw merchant.” It’s not the first time Gilgeous-Alexander has heard it in Minnesota.
He heard it in the regular season matchup back in December. He heard it during last year’s Western Conference Finals.
And he heard it again Thursday night, every time he touched the ball.
But if the goal was to rattle him, it didn’t work. Gilgeous-Alexander was composed, efficient, and relentless.
He finished with 30 points on 12-of-18 shooting, adding eight assists and six rebounds. He only needed five free-throw attempts to get there - a quiet rebuttal to the crowd’s heckling.
The only time the arena went quiet? When SGA was scoring.
The Thunder’s Troubles Went Beyond Injuries
Yes, the Thunder were down several key players - including Alex Caruso, Ajay Mitchell, Thomas Sorber, Nikola Topić, and Jalen Williams. But the issues went beyond who wasn’t in uniform.
Early in the fourth quarter, Aaron Wiggins had a layup attempt blocked by Jaylen Clark. Instead of hustling back, Wiggins jogged up the floor while voicing his frustration to the officials.
Minnesota wasted no time taking advantage of the 5-on-4 break. Donte DiVincenzo missed a three, but Naz Reid swooped in untouched for the offensive rebound and an easy putback.
That sequence summed up a lot of what plagued OKC on Thursday: breakdowns in transition, missed box-outs, and a lack of energy in key moments.
Minnesota turned 15 offensive rebounds into 28 second-chance points. The Thunder also coughed up 14 turnovers, many of which led to easy Timberwolves buckets. When you’re missing key contributors, the margin for error shrinks - and OKC didn’t do itself any favors.
Hartenstein Returns, But Depth Stays Thin
One bright spot for the Thunder was the return of Isaiah Hartenstein, who had missed the last 16 games with a right soleus strain. He came off the bench and looked solid in limited minutes, posting 11 points and five rebounds in 18 minutes. His presence gives OKC some much-needed size and interior toughness, but the team is still searching for cohesion with so many rotation players sidelined.
Notable Numbers and Streaks
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has now scored at least 20 points in 119 consecutive games - the second-longest streak in NBA history, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain’s 126-game run.
- Minnesota played without Mike Conley (back spasms), Enrique Freeman and Rocco Zikarsky (both on G League assignments), and Terrence Shannon Jr. (left foot strain).
- OKC’s injury list included Caruso, Mitchell, Sorber, Topić, and Williams.
What’s Next
The Thunder will look to regroup quickly as they head to Denver for a matchup with the Nuggets. For Minnesota, this win reinforces their status as one of the league’s most balanced and dangerous teams - especially at home, where the pack mentality is alive and well.