Timberwolves falter in final moments, miss NBA Cup after late-game collapse against Thunder
The Minnesota Timberwolves put up a valiant effort against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night, especially in the second half. However, despite their competitive spirit, they ultimately fell short in a 113-105 defeat that highlighted their struggles in clutch situations. This loss marks the third consecutive game where Minnesota’s execution in critical moments left much to be desired, dashing their hopes of advancing in the NBA Cup.
Strong Start, Sloppy Execution
The Wolves (10-8) showcased flashes of brilliance, particularly in the latter half of the game, but their early performance was riddled with mistakes. They managed a mere 17 points in the first quarter, shooting just 26 percent from the field and a dismal 40 percent from the free-throw line. The only player who seemed to find his rhythm was Jaden McDaniels, who was a lone bright spot in the opening frame.
Things didn’t improve significantly in the second quarter, as Minnesota recorded only 22 points and entered the halftime break trailing 49-39. By this point, their shooting percentages had dipped to 32 percent overall, 29 percent from three, and 56 percent from the charity stripe.
Resurgence in the Second Half
Fortunately for the Timberwolves, the second half brought a change in momentum. Anthony Edwards, who scored 25 of his 31 points after halftime, began to find his footing against the Thunder’s aggressive defense. His ability to navigate through double teams and pressure opened up scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.
The Wolves exploded for 32 points in the third quarter, closing the gap and tying the game at 101 with just over three minutes left. However, the persistent issues that plagued them earlier resurfaced at the most inopportune time.
Crucial Mistakes in the Clutch
With the score tied, the Timberwolves suffered a critical turnover when Donte DiVincenzo mishandled the ball, allowing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to capitalize with a quick bucket that put the Thunder back in the lead. Following that, another missed opportunity arose when Rudy Gobert, after drawing a foul, failed to convert on both free-throw attempts.
Despite a late surge, including a pivotal three-pointer from Edwards that brought the score to 105-104, the Wolves were unable to maintain their momentum. Chet Holmgren quickly struck back with a wide-open three-pointer, pushing the Thunder’s lead back to four points.
The final nail in the coffin came when Julius Randle committed a five-second violation while the team was attempting to inbound the ball, sealing their fate just 27 seconds from the end.
Free Throws and Turnovers: A Recipe for Defeat
The Timberwolves’ struggles were compounded by their inability to convert free-throw opportunities, making only 22 of 37 attempts (59 percent), while the Thunder capitalized, sinking 30 of 38 from the line. Minnesota’s 14 turnovers compared to Oklahoma City’s 7 also highlighted the disparity in clutch performance.
Gilgeous-Alexander was the standout performer for the Thunder, pouring in 40 points and hitting 15 of 17 free-throw attempts. Oklahoma City, despite missing Jalen Williams, received solid contributions from Isaiah Hartenstein and Ajay Mitchell, who scored 15 and 13 points, respectively.
Looking Ahead
The loss marks the end of the Timberwolves’ journey in the NBA Cup, as they would have needed a win either last Friday against Phoenix or in this game to advance to the quarterfinals. While there were moments of strong play, particularly from Edwards and Terrence Shannon Jr., who added 18 points off the bench, the team will need to address their late-game execution and free-throw shooting if they hope to turn their season around. The Timberwolves are still in search of their first win this season against a team with a winning record, a statistic that looms large as they move forward.
