Anthony Edwards Shines as Timberwolves Dominate Thunder in Game 3 for First Series Win
Anthony Edwards Ignites Timberwolves’ Offense
The Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t just squeak by in Game 3—they bulldozed the Oklahoma City Thunder, grabbing their first win of the Western Conference Finals. Anthony Edwards set the tone, dropping buckets from the opening whistle and energizing a packed Target Center. By halftime, he’d already put the Thunder on the ropes with deep threes and rim-rattling drives that had fans rocking the rafters. You could sense this wasn’t just another playoff outing for Edwards; he played like a man who knew the series was on the line.
It wasn’t all Edwards, though. Minnesota’s supporting cast showed up in a big way. Nickeil Alexander-Walker—who usually flies under the radar—nailed big threes to stretch the Thunder defense. Donte DiVincenzo came off the bench with a hot hand, splashing in points and making smart decisions under pressure. Every time Oklahoma City tried to rally, another Wolves player answered back, keeping them comfortably out front. The bench’s energy translated into second-chance points and a highlight reel of lockdown defensive moments.
Thunder’s Stars Stifled by Minnesota’s Stout Defense
The Thunder, coming off two wins, arrived in Minnesota looking to push the Wolves to the brink. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams did what they could to stop the bleeding, attacking gaps in Minnesota’s defense and creating plays in transition. But their usual bag of tricks just didn’t work like before. Minnesota swarmed the paint, contested shooters at the arc, and boxed out on almost every possession. The Thunder’s shooters—guys like Isaiah Joe and Lu Dort—did manage to keep things interesting from deep, but it was never enough to erase the gap.
What really set this game apart was the Wolves’ dominance on the glass. Rudy Gobert patrolled the paint, snagging rebounds and making it nearly impossible for the Thunder to score on second-chance opportunities. Minnesota turned defense into offense, running the floor and forcing turnovers that led to easy baskets. Oklahoma City got some key moments from their second unit, but the Wolves were relentless in their intensity and focus.
Now, the series sits at 2-1 with the Thunder still holding a slim lead, but the pressure has swung back to Oklahoma City. Game 4 suddenly feels huge. Can the Timberwolves ride this momentum and tie things up, or will the Thunder regroup and push back? One thing’s clear—Edwards and the Wolves have found their spark, and this series just got a whole lot more interesting.