Anthony Edwards slams Timberwolves to huge win in OKC
There was no shortage of intrigue ahead of Monday night’s game.
The top-two teams in the Western Conference standings were facing off for the last time this season, with the winner taking sole control of first place.
As you could imagine, it went down to the wire.
This time the Timberwolves had no late-game troubles.
Jaden McDaniels tipped in a missed floater from Nickeil Alexander-Walker to give Minnesota a 103-97 lead with just under 30 seconds remaining and the Wolves made their free throws down the stretch in a 107-101 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder Monday in Oklahoma City to take sole possession of first place in the West.
Trailing 97-96 with just under three minutes remaining in the contest, McDaniels hit a corner 3-pointer to give the Timberwolves a two-point lead. Chet Holmgren missed a 3-pointer on the other end, and then Anthony Edwards took off down the lane and floated to the hoop before slamming down a dunk to give Minnesota a 101-97 lead.
The Timberwolves (33-14) were in complete control after that.
"Coming out (in the second half), we set the tone early, we were able to grab a lead, some sloppy play, obviously gave it back, but we weathered that storm for ourselves which we hadn't been doing of late, so that's good," Wolves coach Chris Finch told reporters postgame. "The separation came down the stretch with our defense, finally."
Minnesota was again down Mike Conley, who was ruled out with a hamstring injury that’s been nagging him of late. It’s the fourth time in the last five games Minnesota has been without its starting point guard. The Timberwolves did get a boost at the point guard position from Jordan McLaughlin, who finished the night with 10 points on 4-of-4 shooting, including a couple big second-half 3-pointers, and one assist.
Edwards led Minnesota with 27 points, becoming the third fastest player to 6,000 career points behind just LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and 10 rebounds. Rudy Gobert had 12 and 17. Alexander-Walker scored 12.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued to be an absolute force for the Thunder (32-15), racking up 37 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and two steals while hitting big buckets down the stretch to keep his team within reach.
"It was a tough cover, every night you look, he goes to the line 15-16 times, it's kinda tough to guard him if that's the case," Finch said. "We did a pretty good job of just mixing it up and flying around after that."
Edwards was explicit in his displeasure with the officiating in his postgame, on-court interview on a night he attempted just four free throws. There was a first-half dunk attempt in particular where Chet Holmgren made a lot of contact on him but wasn't called for a foul. Edwards was visibly frustrated. It wasn't the only play he took contact.
"Imma take the fine because the refs did not give us no calls tonight," Edwards said. "We had to play through every bump, every grab — I don't know, I don't know how we won tonight. Big shoutout to my team, big shoutout to my coaches, for sure."
Calls or not, the Timberwolves made shots when they needed to, got stops when they needed to and ultimately will see another day as the top team in the West.
Final key stats
- Anthony Edwards: 27 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal
- Karl-Anthony Towns: 21 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
- Jaden McDaniels: 14 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
- Rudy Gobert: 12 points, 17 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker: 12 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals
- Jordan McLaughlin: 10 points, 1 assist
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 37 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, 2 steals
- Jalen Williams: 20 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds
