Minnesota Timberwolves crush OKC Thunder 143-101 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals Anthony Edwards and Terrence Shannon Jr. lead a record-breaking night.
A Statement Win from Minnesota
Coming into Game 3 trailing 0-2 in the Western Conference Finals, the Minnesota Timberwolves faced a must-win scenario—and responded with the most dominant playoff performance in their franchise’s history.
Their 143-101 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder not only marked a 42-point margin, OKC’s worst loss this season, but also set a playoff franchise record for points scored.
Minnesota looked like the only team ready to play on the night, and surprisingly, it wasn’t the team holding a 2-0 series lead.
Edwards Creates an Atmosphere Early
After a lowkey Game 1, Anthony Edwards walked into Game 3 with a purpose.
He scored 16 points and had 2 assists in the first quarter—he even outscored the entire Thunder team himself.
The Timberwolves finished the first quarter with a 34-14 lead over the Thunder, and that was Oklahoma City’s smallest scoring quarter all season long.
Minnesota generated 16 points off turnovers in just the first quarter, a stark contrast to the mere 10 they managed across all of Game 2.
Total Team Domination
By halftime, the Timberwolves led by 31.
That grew to 37 by the end of the third, and their lead peaked at 45 points.
The team’s response, after being pushed around in the first two games, was fueled by elevated defensive intensity from every rotation member.
Even more impressively, Minnesota made these adjustments without major offensive shifts, simply outworking OKC in every aspect of the game.
Thunder Collapse on Both Ends
The Thunder, who had dominated much of the playoffs, were completely outmatched in Game 3.
MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander managed just 14 points—his lowest output of the season.
Minnesota’s defensive schemes cut off his mid-range drives and made every touch a struggle.
No other Thunder player scored more than 13 points, and the team lost the turnover battle for the first time since March 25.
Terrence Shannon Jr. Ignites Off the Bench
One of the night’s most unexpected heroes was Terrence Shannon Jr.
After a slow start to the playoffs, the Illinois product provided a spark off the bench that Minnesota desperately needed.
Shannon contributed 9 points on 3-of-5 shooting, including a perfect 3-of-3 from the free-throw line, and added a key steal—all in limited minutes.
Shannon was the 4th-highest scorer for Minnesota in the first half, behind:
- Anthony Edwards (20 points)
- Naz Reid (10 points)
- Julius Randle (10 points)
This helped the Timberwolves build a 72-41 lead at the break.
From Quiet Contributor to Game Lifter
Shannon’s game-breaking performance was not just about scoring, but how he scored—he was impactful, confident, energizing, and efficient.
The resilience and potential he displayed from being a bench player who averaged 4.3 PPG in the season to a playoff game-changer was tremendous.
Game 3 could be a turning point in Shannon’s playoff career, evolving his role and providing Minnesota a new weapon as the series moves forward.
What’s Next?
Game 4 comes at the Target Center on Monday, as the Timberwolves look to tie the series at 2-2, while the Thunder aim to regain momentum and put Minnesota back on the ropes.
Final Thoughts
After Game 3, Oklahoma City likely needs to reevaluate their rotations and offensive looks, especially to counter Minnesota’s defensive surge and stronger bench contributions.
Game 3 was not only a win—it was a statement.
Minnesota asserted themselves in this series. With Edwards leading and unknowns like Shannon emerging, the Timberwolves proved they’re still serious contenders in this postseason.