National Basketball Association
Minnesota 135, Oklahoma City 105
When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, January 7, 2022
Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Officials:
#83 Andy Nagy, #58 Josh Tiven, #73 Clare Aubry
Attendance:
14874
By Field Level Media
D'Angelo Russell had 27 points and 12 assists to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 135-105 win over the host Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night.
The Timberwolves extended their winning streak to three while the Thunder have lost three in a row and five of six.
When the teams played Wednesday in Minnesota, offense was at a premium in a 98-90 Timberwolves' win.
But there was little issue scoring in this meeting, especially for Minnesota.
Anthony Edwards set the tone early, scoring 17 first-quarter points, making all six of his shots including five 3-pointers.
Edwards joined Golden State's Stephen Curry as the only players in the league to hit five or more 3-pointers in a quarter multiple times this season.
Minnesota finished 55.6 percent from the field and had 39 assists, both season highs.
Russell was 11 of 12 from the floor and 4 of 5 from beyond the arc.
Edwards finished with 24 points with six 3-pointers and seven assists.
Karl-Anthony Towns added 19 points and Jarred Vanderbilt had 11 points and tied a career high with 16 rebounds.
Minnesota hit 17 3-pointers.
The Timberwolves took the lead for good late in the first quarter then took control for good with an 18-4 run late in the second.
Oklahoma City's three turnovers in the stretch led to seven Minnesota points.
The Timberwolves turned the Thunder's eight first-half turnovers into 17 points and built a 73-57 lead at the break.
Minnesota's 73 points in the first half was the most Oklahoma City has allowed in a first half this season.
The Timberwolves finished with 34 points on the Thunder's season-high tying 20 turnovers.
Luguentz Dort, returning after missing back-to-back games with a knee injury, led Oklahoma City with 18 points.
Minnesota's Patrick Beverley missed the game with right groin soreness.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault returned after missing five games due to COVID-19 protocol. Daigneault confirmed before the game that he'd tested positive, but said he remained asymptomatic.
--Field Level Media
Top Game Performances
Minnesota |
|
Oklahoma City |
D'Angelo Russell 27 |
Scoring |
Luguentz Dort 18 |
D'Angelo Russell 12 |
Assists |
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 6 |
Jarred Vanderbilt 16 |
Rebounds |
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl 8 |
Jaylen Nowell 5 |
Free Throws Made |
Luguentz Dort 5 |
Jarred Vanderbilt 3 |
Steals |
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 2 |
Naz Reid 3 |
Blocks |
Luguentz Dort 2 |
Team Stats Summary
Team |
Points |
FG% |
3PM-3PA |
FTM-FTA |
Assists |
Rebounds |
Blocks |
Steals |
Turnovers |
Minnesota
|
135 |
55.6 |
17-41 |
18-25 |
39 |
45 |
8 |
12 |
15 |
Oklahoma City
|
105 |
40.4 |
15-44 |
18-23 |
26 |
45 |
4 |
10 |
20 |
Upcoming Games
-
Oklahoma City will play their next game at home against Denver. The Thunder have a W/L % of .462 after a win and .280 after a loss.
-
Minnesota will play their next game on the road against Houston. The Timberwolves have a W/L % of .611 after a win and .381 after a loss.