The Minnesota Timberwolves erased a massive deficit and secured a 131-128 overtime win against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night.
Jaden McDaniels led Minnesota with 27 points, while Anthony Edwards delivered a key defensive stop to deny Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the final seconds of overtime.
Minnesota (32-27) trailed by as many as 25 points in the second half before storming back in the fourth quarter. The Timberwolves outscored Oklahoma City (46-11) 41-19 in the final period, forcing overtime after McDaniels converted a three-point play with 11.9 seconds left in regulation.
Naz Reid recorded a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 21 points off the bench. Edwards contributed 17 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists despite playing limited minutes in the fourth quarter.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 39 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists for the Thunder, but he had two chances to tie or win the game in overtime and missed both. Edwards blocked his layup attempt with 13.2 seconds left, and Gilgeous-Alexander’s three-point attempt with 2.9 seconds remaining fell short.
Jalen Williams added 27 points, and Aaron Wiggins contributed 19 for Oklahoma City, which still holds the best record in the Western Conference.
The Thunder built their lead behind strong shooting early and led 102-80 entering the fourth quarter. However, Minnesota’s bench sparked the comeback, with Terrence Shannon scoring 11 of his 17 points in the final period.
The Timberwolves played without Rudy Gobert, who was sidelined with lower back spasms. Oklahoma City also rested Chet Holmgren, who recently returned from a pelvic fracture, while center Isaiah Hartenstein exited in the second quarter with a bloody nose and did not return.
Despite the loss, the Thunder remain atop the Western Conference standings. The Timberwolves, currently seventh in the West, continue to battle for playoff positioning as the season progresses.
