OKC Thunder falls out of first place in Western Conference with loss to Timberwolves
Days removed from a 73-point Luka Doncic explosion and a 70-piece from Joel Embiid, pundits have settled on the idea that defense in the NBA is dead.
Tell that to the Timberwolves and Thunder.
Their season series, which concluded in a 107-101 Minnesota win Monday at Paycom Center, was basically a Bruce Lee movie. Punches and zone defenses and intimidation. Monday’s brawl had it all.
Shoddy shotmaking, forced airballs, beating ball handlers to the spot almost every trip down. Each team traded possessions. Then Minnesota, who’s been critiqued for its fourth quarter execution of late, changed the narrative.
For a team that hasn’t embodied its youth much of this season, Minnesota (33-14) made it look young, inexperienced and indecisive in the dwindling minutes of the game to reclaim the best record in the Western Conference.
Turnovers. Shots changed, particularly by Chet Holmgren upon seeing Rudy Gobert. Lost possessions with the game on the line. When Kendrick Perkins asks about NBA defense, show him what Minnesota did to unravel OKC (32-15) on Monday.
More: Ranking Kentucky players in NBA: Where does OKC Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander land?
Jalen Williams injury update
Mark Daigneault said in his postgame interview that he had no update on Jalen Williams after his late injury, or Isaiah Joe, who also left the game with an apparent injury.
Up next for Thunder
THUNDER VS. NUGGETS: 7 p.m. Wednesday at Paycom Center (Bally Sports Oklahoma)
More: Joel Embiid is boosting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's NBA MVP case with every missed game
Thunder vs. Timberwolves live score updates
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Thunder vs. Timberwolves highlights
Final: Timberwolves 107, Thunder 101
Minnesota’s fourth quarter execution has been its recent criticism. Not tonight. Looked older, more mature, and absolutely stiff armed OKC. Thunder hasn’t looked young often this season, but unraveled behind indecisiveness late (all but SGA).
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
End of 3Q: Thunder 77, Wolves 73
Still pretty good defensive possessions from both sides, just better shotmaking. Some good JDub stints mixed into the Shai ball in that quarter. Couple big 3s for him. The two combined for 20 in that quarter.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
Half: Timberwolves 49, Thunder 47
SGA just chased Ant Edwards around like three handoff attempts to close that half. What a quarter. Impenetrable defense, shaky shotmaking, a lot of fouls but probably not as many as there could’ve been for either side. OKC shot 35% FG, 3/10 3s.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
End of 1Q: Timberwolves 29, Thunder 28
Both teams pretty efficient to start. OKC shooting 52.6% FG, 3 for 6 from deep. SGA with 11 points (3-6). Daigneault said it best pregame — he somehow always has 10 after the 1st. He was really adamant about drawing some of those calls.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
Pregame: OKC Thunder coach Mark Daigneault talks about Jaylin Williams
Mark Daigneault on Jaylin Williams' infectious personality: "I think you could be smiling all the time. But if, when the popcorn is popping, you're running under your bed, it's it's not going to get you very far in an NBA locker room. He's not like that at all."
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
Thunder vs. Timberwolves start time today
Matchup: Thunder (32-14) vs. Timberwolves (32-14)
Date: Monday, Jan. 29
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Where: Paycom Center in Oklahoma City
Betting line: Thunder by 2.5
Box score: Click HERE
More: Ranking Kentucky players in NBA: Where does OKC Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander land?
Thunder vs. Timberwolves TV channel today
TV: Bally Sports Oklahoma
Radio: 98.1 FM, 640 AM
Streaming: Fubo (free trial).
If you don't have Bally Sports Oklahoma, you can sign up for Fubo with a free trial to watch the Thunder all season long.
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder falls out of first place in West with loss to Timberwolves
