Minnesota Timberwolves ahead Julius Randle (30) reacts through the second half of Sport 3 of the Western Convention finals of the NBA basketball playoffs towards the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, Saturday, Could 24, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Picture/Matt Krohn)
Moments after a 42-point win, the Minnesota Timberwolves had been decided to neglect all about it.
Such is life within the NBA playoffs, because the Timberwolves hammered the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder 143-101 in Sport 3 of the NBA Western Convention finals on Saturday evening in Minneapolis. The Timberwolves pulled inside 2-1 within the best-of-seven sequence with Sport 4 arising Monday evening.
READ: NBA: Timberwolves battle again with 42-point rout of Thunder in Sport 3
“You’ve obtained to erase this one,” Timberwolves star guard Anthony Edwards mentioned. “This one is over. I do know everyone seems to be comfortable about this one, however we all know OKC goes to return out and produce (a ton of) vitality and be able to go and so they’re going to attempt to win Sport 4. We’ve obtained to return out and exceed their vitality and attempt to get a win and return for Sport 5. We’ll be prepared.”
The Timberwolves actually had been prepared in Sport 3.
“Vitality” and “pressure” had been the commonest phrases amongst Thunder coaches and gamers after the loss. They mentioned the Timberwolves got here out determined to keep away from a 3-0 sequence deficit, and after they constructed an early lead, they’d the boldness and momentum to forestall the Thunder from ever gaining floor.
“They positively landed their punches and we had a extremely onerous time entering into the sport,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault mentioned.
Thunder large man Chet Holmgren agreed.
READ: NBA: Timberwolves ‘determined’ to defend dwelling courtroom vs Thunder
“We’ve obtained to equal that pressure and be higher,” Holmgren mentioned. “It’s not difficult. Wherever they needed to go, they obtained there.”
Each groups have life like hopes of reaching the NBA Finals, and on Saturday the Timberwolves helped their trigger.
Edwards scored 30 factors on 12-for-17 capturing and grabbed 9 rebounds. Julius Randle added 24 factors on 9-for-15 capturing for Minnesota, and rookie Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 15 factors off the bench.
Shannon earned reward from coaches and teammates alike after pulling down leap photographs and combating his manner into the paint for hard-earned layups.
“You’re positively going to see him extra,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch mentioned.
READ: NBA: Thunder overwhelm Timberwolves once more for 2-0 lead
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 14 factors regardless of lacking 9 of 13 photographs from the sphere for Oklahoma Metropolis. Ajay Mitchell scored 14 factors off the bench, and Jalen Williams contributed 13 factors.
The Timberwolves set a franchise document for many factors scored in a playoff sport.
Minnesota shot 57.3 p.c (55 of 96) from the sphere and 50 p.c (20 of 40) from past the arc. Oklahoma Metropolis shot 40.7 p.c (35 of 86) general and 31.8 p.c (14 of 44) from 3-point vary.
The Timberwolves wasted little time taking command. They jumped out to a 34-14 lead on the finish of the primary quarter, which included 3-pointers by Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Edwards within the closing two minutes.
The Thunder trailed 13-9 when Minnesota went on a 12-0 run to grab a 25-9 benefit with 2:41 remaining within the first quarter. Edwards began the run with a 3-pointer, then had a driving dunk 15 seconds later.
READ: NBA: Timberwolves search solutions vs Thunder’s ‘AAU’ protection
By halftime, the Timberwolves elevated their benefit to 72-41. Randle made a pair of free throws to place Minnesota on high by 33 factors with 43.5 seconds left within the half, and Williams completed the first-half scoring with a 3-pointer for the Thunder.
Oklahoma Metropolis failed to chop into its deficit within the third quarter. The Thunder had been outscored 35-29 throughout that session to fall behind 107-70.
One other 12-0 run by Minnesota turned a 74-52 lead into an 86-52 benefit halfway via the third quarter. Jaden McDaniels began the run with a 3-pointer.
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Each groups turned to order gamers within the closing minutes with the rating effectively out of attain.
