It was the final time the two teams that reside atop the Western Conference standings would meet during the regular season.
The Oklahoma City Thunder took on the Minnesota Timberwolves one last time, and this time it was for sole possession of the one seed.
It was a back-and-forth, playoff-like game in the 405, but the Wolves came out on top, defeating OKC 107-101 and tying the season series at two a piece.
The fireworks started on the first possession. Karl-Anthony Towns got right to the rim, looking to establish the competitive balance right away. Just then, Chet Holmgren came over from the weak side and sent Towns shot flying. From that point forward, it was on.
Josh Giddey caught fire early, drilling three first quarter three pointers and helping OKC gain the upper hand. But, as rivals tend to do, Minnesota fought back, and it wrestled back a 23-22 lead. The Wolves maintained that lead for the rest of the first, and took a 29-28 lead into the second.
The craziness bled over into the second, but Jalen Williams helped OKC regain the lead with a three. The teams jostled back and forth, trading the lead with each passing basket. The offense shriveled up for both teams in the middle of the period, and the officials were letting both sides be incredibly physical with one another. Tempers began to flare late in the half after Holmgren rejected an Anthony Edwards dunk attempt, adding more layer to a rivalry that continues to evolve. Minnesota eventually took a 49-47 lead into halftime, but it felt like anyones game.
Minnesota continued to attack in the second half, building a nine point lead almost immediately in the third quarter. The physicality of the Wolves seemed to bother Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as much as anything that any team has thrown at him this season, but either way, SGA is going to get his points.
OKC’s offense began to turn around when it surrounded Gilgeous-Alexander with more shooting, which caused the Wolves duo of Towns and Rudy Gobert to have to stick to shooters on the outside. When the players around SGA began to hit their shots, OKC erased a ten-point Minnesota lead in what seemed like seconds. The offensive surge caused by SGA, Williams, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe allowed OKC to grab a 77-73 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Minnesota quickly retook the lead with a pair of Towns free throws and a Nickeil Alexander-Walker corner three, further advancing the nights trend of the OKC offense being unable to generate good looks without Gilgeous-Alexander on the floor.
Gilgeous-Alexander was brought in almost four full minutes ahead of when he typically does in the fourth, and quickly drew the fifth foul on Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota’s best defender. OKC’s offensive efficiency immediately took a positive turn. The Thunder and the Wolves essentially played to a draw through the first few minutes of SGA’s time on the court, but OKC’s once dormant offense had began to show signs of life.
The once defensive battle turned into an offensive masterclass late, with both sides trading tough conversions and good offensive sets.
Minnesota took a six point advantage into the final moments, securing a hard fought win after a back and forth final frame. Perhaps more importantly than the result for OKC was the late injury to Williams, who appeared to injure his ankle late in the game.
The Wolves were seeking a get back for OKC’s win in their place last week, and they got it in the end.
Following the result Minnesota regains sole possession of the one seed in the West, and closes out this seasons matchup with OKC by tying the season series at two.
OKC is left looking up at the Wolves once again, with Denver being next on the schedule.
