Anthony Edwards
The Minnesota Timberwolves delivered a statement win Thursday night, knocking off the Oklahoma City Thunder 123-111 at Target Center in a game that carried more weight than a typical regular-season matchup, EssentiallySports reports. Minnesota played with a noticeable edge from the opening tip, and afterward, Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards did not shy away from explaining why the moment mattered.
“It’s super personal for me,” Edwards said during his postgame appearance on the NBA on Prime panel. “They put us out last year, and they got the reigning MVP. I think a win like this shows that if we bring our defensive intensity every night, we going to be all right.”
Minnesota’s urgency reflected that mindset throughout the night. Donte DiVincenzo punctuated the third quarter with a corner three, then turned toward courtside seats and blew a kiss before jogging back on defense. The gesture matched the tone of a Wolves team that attacked Oklahoma City on both ends while protecting its home floor.
The loss snapped momentum for a Thunder group that entered the night with one of the league’s best records and welcomed back Isaiah Hartenstein after a 16-game absence due to a right soleus strain. Still, Minnesota dictated the flow early and rarely let Oklahoma City settle into rhythm.
Edwards frames the win as a measuring stick
Last season’s Western Conference Finals loss still lingered for Minnesota, and Edwards acknowledged that history played a role in how the Wolves approached the matchup. Oklahoma City ended Minnesota’s playoff run in five games, and Thursday’s result gave the Wolves a chance to test how much they have grown since then.
Edwards pointed directly to defense as the separator, placing responsibility on himself as the team’s leader. He explained that his effort level often sets the tone for everyone else on the floor.
“I pick and choose when I want to defend at a super high level, and I think my teammates follow,” Edwards said. “Tonight I decided to defend at a high level, and I got to do that night in, night out. We all know how hard that is, but I got to be willing to take that challenge every night.”
The comments highlighted Edwards’ evolution. He has moved beyond being just Minnesota’s primary scorer, now speaking openly about accountability and consistency as pillars of the team’s identity.
Wolves crowd, defensive plan rattle Thunder
The Target Center crowd played its own role, especially when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander handled the ball. Fans repeatedly chanted “Free-throw merchant” whenever Gilgeous-Alexander touched it, a refrain heard previously during Oklahoma City’s road games in Minnesota and last year’s playoff series, Oklahoman reports.
Gilgeous-Alexander did not respond outwardly to the noise and still finished with 30 points, eight assists, and six rebounds on efficient shooting. He attempted only five free throws and did not reach the line until late in the first half.
Edwards explained Minnesota’s approach against the reigning MVP, emphasizing crowding the paint and forcing the ball out of his hands.
“Just showing him two, three bodies, making him pass to his teammates, then fanning out to other guys,” Edwards said when asked about the defensive game plan.
Oklahoma City’s issues extended beyond one-on-one defense. The Thunder turned the ball over 14 times and allowed 15 offensive rebounds, which Minnesota converted into 28 second-chance points. Those controllable mistakes proved costly against a Wolves team intent on sending a message.
For Minnesota, the win served as more than another tally in the standings. It offered validation that lessons from last postseason still resonate, especially for Edwards, who made it clear this matchup carried personal meaning.