Wolves roar back: Edwards leads Minnesota to dominant Game 3 victory

Minnesota Timberwolves unleashed a furious response in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals on Saturday night, demolishing the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 143-101 victory at Target Center. After two humbling losses to begin the series, Minnesota's dominant display cut Oklahoma City's lead to 2-1, showcasing their potential to disrupt the top seed's rhythm.

From the opening tip, the Timberwolves established control, seizing a commanding 34-14 lead by the end of the first quarter and extending their advantage to a staggering 42 points by the third. Their offensive efficiency was undeniable, shooting an impressive 57.3% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc, starkly contrasting Oklahoma City’s 40.7% field goal and 31.8% three-point percentages.

Anthony Edwards led the charge for Minnesota, pouring in 30 points in just 30 minutes, including a scorching 16 points in the first quarter. He exhibited remarkable composure and intelligence, adjusting his angles on pick-and-rolls to create space and find his elite pull-up three-point shot. Julius Randle contributed 24 points, while the Timberwolves' bench provided a crucial 45 points, contributing to their franchise-record playoff scoring night.

For the Thunder, Game 3 was a stark departure from their composed postseason run. They struggled against Minnesota’s aggressive defense, which mirrored Denver's approach by pressuring ball handlers and quickly rotating to close passing lanes.

Oklahoma City missed 11 of its first 15 shots and committed five turnovers in the initial six minutes, never recovering from the early deficit. MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was held to a season-low and team-high 14 points, snapping a five-game streak of 30-point playoff performances. Both Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams struggled from the field, combining for just 7-of-22 shooting.

Minnesota's defensive strategy involved subtle yet effective adjustments, giving Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams more space on drives initially, then having their bigs like Rudy Gobert shift up to prevent the body contact the Thunder stars thrived on in earlier games. Rookie Terrence Shannon Jr. notably contributed 15 points in limited minutes while providing tough defense on SGA.

As Game 4 looms on Monday, the Thunder face the challenge of deciphering Minnesota's adjusted schemes. They will need to increase their half-court pace, find ways to counter the Timberwolves' zone, and improve their containment of Edwards to avoid an even series. Minnesota, having breathed new life into their NBA Finals aspirations, will aim to replicate their dominant performance and continue their comeback bid.