Prior to Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, it looked as though the Oklahoma City Thunder were going to continue their dominance and storm through the Minnesota Timberwolves on their way to advancing to the NBA Finals.
However, the Timberwolves had other plans and humbled the Thunder by defeating them 143-101.
Thunder coach makes blunt statement following blowout loss
The Thunder locker room probably wasn't the most fun place on earth to be following that game.
They were likely due for a dud like that, as even the best teams are prone to a performance like that every now and again. The critical thing will be how they respond.
Following the big loss in which almost every Thunder player struggled, head coach Mark Daigneault kept things blunt when speaking with reporters.
“We can learn from it — obviously not our best punch,” Daigneault said.
It's not often a team with the league's best record and best player has a game like that, so it will likely prove to be an anomaly.
Game 4 will be critical. On one hand, the Thunder could be going back to Oklahoma City up 3-1 with a chance to clinch a trip to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012.
On the other hand, if the Timberwolves manage to take Game 4, it would give them new life in a series that looked grim at best.
One thing that the Thunder have going for them is the fact that they were one of the best road teams in the NBA this season, so it's likely they return to form for Game 4.