Thunder vs Timberwolves: Minnesota Blows Out OKC in Game 3, Breathes Life Into Western Finals

Timberwolves Dominate Game 3: A Statement Win in Minneapolis

No one saw it coming this big. When the Minnesota Timberwolves walked into Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder were riding high—up 2-0, favored by odds makers, and looking every bit like the top seed. Then Anthony Edwards and his crew set fire to all expectations with a scorching 143-101 rout, giving the home crowd plenty to shout about and breathing new life into this series.

Anthony Edwards put on a clinic, tossing in 30 points, plucking 9 rebounds, and dishing out 6 assists. Every big shot seemed to start (or end) with him. And then there was Julius Randle: 24 points, bullying his way to the rim, and showing no mercy on mismatches. This was Minnesota’s largest postseason win ever—a clear message that they weren’t just happy to be here, but were going to make life tough for this Thunder team.

Pressure Flips: Thunder Rattled, Wolves Hungry

Oklahoma City looked like a completely different squad after coasting through the first two games. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who just picked up his MVP trophy, couldn’t shake loose—shooting just 4-for-13, looking gassed and often double-teamed. His 14 points left OKC struggling to find answers. The Thunder’s offense that shredded defenses all year just never showed up, and their vaunted pace fizzled as Minnesota forced tough shots all night.

This shift wasn’t just about tactics—it was heart. Minnesota, coming in as a sixth seed, has played the underdog role all postseason. But Cinderella stories only stick if you punch back, and that’s exactly what they did. The crowd in Minneapolis gave them a lift, and suddenly, the Timberwolves looked loose and confident, getting big performances across the roster.

The regular season didn’t predict this blowout; these teams split their four meetings, and every contest was a slugfest. Vegas had OKC favored in Game 3, with a modest 2.5-point edge and a 218.5-point over/under. Most fans expected another gritty, nail-biter finish. Instead, what they got was a reminder of just how wild the postseason gets when hunger, energy, and maybe a little desperation meet on the court.

With the Thunder leading the series 2-1, all eyes are on whether the Timberwolves can keep this swagger and dial up the intensity again, or if OKC’s stars will shake off the sting and restore order. Both teams are chasing history: The Thunder want to book their first trip to the NBA Finals since the Kevin Durant-Russell Westbrook era in 2012, while the Timberwolves are still hunting for their first ticket ever. Game 3 wasn’t just a win; it was a shot across the bow that guarantees this series is far from over.