Minnesota shot 46% from 3-point range on Wednesday in Oklahoma City.
The Timberwolves out-rebounded the Thunder by four. They shot three more free throws than Oklahoma City when discounting the four the Thunder shot in the game’s final 30 seconds via intentional fouls.
Anthony Edwards scored 31 points — his 100th career 30-plus point performance. The Wolves had six players score in double figures, including Terrence Shannon Jr.’s 18 off the bench via his perfect shooting performance.
Minnesota even largely limited its turnovers — and it lost 113-105 to the league-leading Thunder. The loss eliminated the Wolves from NBA Cup contention, marking the third time in the event’s three year history that Minnesota failed to reach the knockout stage.
Oklahoma City is now 18-1, and its second-best player — All-NBA wing Jalen Williams — has yet to touch the court this season.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Gerald Leong)
The Wolves played good basketball in defeat. Good is not going to get it done against the defending champions. Perfection may in fact be required to beat Oklahoma City.
Is that attainable?
It’s a question Minnesota is likely asking itself after Wednesday’s loss, the team’s third straight. A major culprit in all three defeats has been late-game execution. No, there was no big lead coughed up in Oklahoma City like the ones Minnesota blew in Phoenix and Sacramento.
But the Wolves did have possession in a tie game with three minutes to play against the Thunder when Donte DiVincenzo had the ball poked away by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, which led to a layup going the other way.
The next trip down the floor, Jaden McDaniels picked up his dribble as he looked to get the ball to Edwards, who was unable to shake Casson Wallace. Needing to avoid a five-second call, McDaniels threw a jump ball to Julius Randle, which was batted away by Lu Dort.
Then, with 27 seconds to play and Minnesota down five, Randle was unable to get the inbound in on time when his primary target, Edwards, was denied by Gilgeous-Alexander.
On top of all that, Minnesota missed 15 free throws.
Minnesota’s execution isn’t near the level it has to be at when that’s what’s required. So even on the nights when everything aligns for the Wolves to have a chance to put a team away or win a game at the end, they currently cannot capitalize.
Sure, there are things Minnesota can hope are better in future matchups with the Thunder.
Randle went 2 for 13 on Wednesday. The Wolves expect more production from the forward, who was playing at an all-star level this season prior to Minnesota’s last three games. But Wednesday marked Randle’s third time making two shots or fewer in his last six games against Oklahoma City.
Sixteen turnovers may feel like something that can be cleaned up, but the Thunder’s pressure defense compromises your decision making. It’s why Oklahoma City tends to go on avalanche-like runs against opponents, and had won its previous nine games by 13-plus points.
The Timberwolves checked many of the boxes required to avoid that type of wipeout and stick with Oklahoma City for 48 minutes. There are plenty of positives to draw from that. It has to be reassuring for Minnesota that should it play to that standard of effort and gameplan discipline, it can beat 28 teams in the NBA.
But can it beat the Thunder, particularly when it matters most?
It’s the ultimate question for everyone in the Western Conference, and the NBA at-large.
The Magic 8-Ball reading for Minnesota: “Outlook not so good.”
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