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

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.