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MINNEAPOLIS -- Anthony Edwards had 30 points, nine rebounds and six assists in just three quarters to lead the re-energized Minnesota Timberwolves in a 143-101 victory over Oklahoma City on Saturday night in Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference finals that cut the Thunder's lead in the series to 2-1.
Julius Randle added 24 points and rookie Terrence Shannon Jr. had 15 points in 13 minutes to highlight a big boost from the bench for the Timberwolves, who caused all kinds of cracks in the Thunder's NBA-best defense after struggling to solve it in the two lopsided losses on the road.
Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had just 14 points on 4-for-13 shooting with 4 turnovers, subbed out with a 38-point deficit and 4:25 to go in the third quarter as Thunder Coach Mark Daigneault conceded on a night when his team was never closer than 22 points after early in the second quarter.
Game 4 is back in Minneapolis on Monday night.
The travel north and venue shift triggered a sharp drop in shooting for the Thunder, who made exactly half of their attempts from the floor over the first two games and went just 12 for 40 in the first half Saturday.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the new NBA MVP, went more than 13 minutes of game time between baskets while the Target Center crowd loudly booed him on every touch and taunted him at the line with the chant, "Free-throw merchant!" in a nod to the popular notion he draws an inordinate amount of fouls.
The Thunder fully expected a strong response from the Timberwolves after opening the series with two lopsided wins. This was a bone-jarring counterpunch from the opening tip that kept the crowd roaring all the way through the finish, without any of the half-quarter meltdowns that doomed them in Oklahoma City.
Randle, who had his first off night of this postseason in a Game 2 performance so disjointed he was benched for the fourth quarter, had his fire back -- and his signature fadeaway shot.
Edwards rediscovered his three-point shot, going 5 for 8 after shooting just 1 of 9 on three-pointers in Game 2. He gave the quick-handed, ball-pressuring Thunder a taste of what it's like to play against themselves with a couple of relentless of loose balls he turned into breakaway dunks.
Outscored 69-37 in the third quarter over the first two games, the Timberwolves didn't even leave the door open a crack for the Thunder to start a second-half comeback. Edwards, tightly guarded by Isaiah Joe (Fort Smith Northside, Arkansas Razorbacks) in the corner, found enough space to drive along the baseline and spin an up-and-under reverse layup off the glass for a 79-52 lead.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) looses controls of the ball while defended by Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first half of Game 3 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs, Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) looses controls of the ball while defended by Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first half of Game 3 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs, Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) loses control of the ball while defended by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) during the first half of Game 3 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs, Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) loses control of the ball while defended by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) during the first half of Game 3 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs, Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (00) celebrates during the first half of Game 3 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (00) celebrates during the first half of Game 3 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) reacts after making a 3-pointer against Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of Game 3 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs, Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) reacts after making a 3-pointer against Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of Game 3 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs, Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)