Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder Match Player Stats: Full Game Breakdown and Key Performances
Introduction
When the Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Oklahoma City Thunder, fans can always expect a battle filled with energy, youth, athleticism, and plenty of exciting plays. These two teams are loaded with rising stars and strong leaders. Whether it’s a tough rebound, a powerful dunk, or a buzzer-beating three-pointer, every matchup between them feels like something big is about to happen. But what truly tells the full story of the game? That’s where the Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder match player stats come in.
Stats can give us a clear view of what really happened. Who scored the most points? Who played tough defense? Which player helped turn defense into offense with a key steal or block? These numbers go beyond the highlights. They show consistency, hustle, and the small details that can decide a win or a loss.
In this complete game recap, we’ll cover every major stat from the Timberwolves vs Thunder showdown. From star performances and bench impact to rebounds, shooting percentages, turnovers, and more—this guide helps you see how the game unfolded, one stat at a time.
Now, let’s dive into the Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder match player stats and see who made the biggest impact.
First Quarter Recap: A Hot Start for Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City jumped out to a fast start. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got going early with mid-range jumpers and strong drives to the rim. Josh Giddey added energy by controlling the pace and finding open teammates. OKC led by 8 points halfway through the first quarter.
On the Timberwolves’ side, Anthony Edwards tried to spark the team with early buckets, including a nice dunk in transition. However, turnovers became a problem. Minnesota had 5 turnovers in the first 8 minutes, which turned into easy points for the Thunder.
Looking at the Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder match player stats from the first quarter, the Thunder shot 54%, while the Timberwolves hit just 41%. Rebounding was also in OKC’s favor early on.
Anthony Edwards Takes the Lead for Minnesota
Anthony Edwards showed why he’s becoming one of the league’s top young stars. He dropped 29 points on 11-of-19 shooting, including four three-pointers. He also had 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. His energy picked up in the third quarter when he scored 12 points and helped cut Oklahoma City’s lead.
Every time the Timberwolves needed someone to step up, Edwards answered. He attacked the rim, hit midrange jumpers, and defended well against OKC’s guards. The Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder match player stats clearly highlight Edwards as a top performer.
Even in a close game, Edwards kept his composure and stayed aggressive from start to finish.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Shines Again
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to prove he’s one of the best guards in the NBA. In this matchup, he scored 31 points, shot 55% from the field, and added 7 assists and 5 rebounds. He controlled the tempo, created space, and picked apart Minnesota’s defense.
Shai’s stat line in the Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder match player stats shows how efficient he was. He got to the free-throw line often and made smart passes when traps came his way.
He also helped anchor Oklahoma City in the fourth quarter, delivering a deep jumper and assist during their late-game push.
Rudy Gobert’s Presence Felt Inside
Rudy Gobert gave the Timberwolves size and presence in the paint. He recorded 14 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 12 points on efficient shooting. He protected the rim aggressively, stopping multiple OKC drives and forcing players to think twice before coming inside.
The Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder match player stats show Gobert’s defensive impact with his blocks and altered shots. Though not a scoring leader, his defense kept Minnesota in the game during tough stretches.
He also boxed out well, giving Minnesota multiple second-chance opportunities with offensive rebounds.
Chet Holmgren’s All-Around Impact
Chet Holmgren showed his unique skill set, even in a game filled with stars. The rookie center posted 17 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks. He hit a three-pointer early and did damage in pick-and-roll situations.
His length gave OKC a strong rim protector, and his ability to shoot spaced the floor. The Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder match player stats reveal how Holmgren did a little bit of everything. For a young player, his instincts and timing stood out.
Holmgren matched up with Gobert for much of the game and held his own well.
Three-Point Shooting: OKC Finds the Range
Three-point shooting played a big part in this game’s direction. Oklahoma City knocked down 14 threes, shooting 44% from deep. Lu Dort hit three from behind the arc, including a big one in the fourth quarter. Isaiah Joe came in off the bench and added two more threes.
The Timberwolves hit just 9 of their 28 attempts from beyond the arc, shooting under 33%. Karl-Anthony Towns hit a few in the first half but cooled off later.
In the Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder match player stats, OKC’s better three-point efficiency made a real difference, stretching the defense and opening driving lanes.
Turnovers and Fast Breaks
Turnovers were one of the deciding factors in this game. Minnesota had 17 total turnovers, many of them unforced. OKC turned those mistakes into 24 fast-break points.
On the flip side, Oklahoma City committed just 11 turnovers, allowing them to control momentum and avoid giving up easy scores.
Looking at fast-break numbers in the Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder match player stats, it’s clear OKC ran smarter and took advantage after misses or steals.
The gap in turnovers played a big part in who had more chances to score.
Bench Stats: Role Players Make an Impact
The Thunder bench outperformed the Timberwolves in key moments. Isaiah Joe scored 11 points, all in the second quarter, helping build a lead when the starters rested. Jaylin Williams also added 6 points and brought physicality.
Minnesota’s bench struggled to keep up. Naz Reid had 8 points and 5 rebounds, but other players like Kyle Anderson and Shake Milton couldn’t find rhythm.
The Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder match player stats for the bench squad favored OKC. Their depth and energy helped keep the momentum steady during rotations.
Rebound Battle: Nearly Even Across the Board
Despite having Gobert, the Timberwolves didn’t dominate the boards. Each team grabbed 45 rebounds. Holmgren and Williams fought hard inside for loose balls, while Edwards added six boards for Minnesota.
The Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder match player stats show that second-chance points were close as well. The Thunder had 11, and Minnesota had 13.
Rebounding didn’t decide the game, but both teams showed effort and fought for every board.
Free-Throw Stats: Points from the Line
Oklahoma City made 21 of 25 free-throw attempts. Shai alone attempted 10 and hit every single one. This showcased his ability to draw contact and finish plays the smart way.
Minnesota went to the line 18 times and made 14. Edwards hit 7-of-8 free throws, but others missed key opportunities late in the game.
In the Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder match player stats, this free-throw edge gave OKC a quiet but important lead in scoring.
Fourth Quarter Summary: Clutch Plays Seal the Win
Heading into the final quarter, the game was tied. Both teams traded baskets for the first six minutes. Then Shai took over. He hit a three, drew a foul on a drive, and found Holmgren under the rim for a dunk.
Minnesota struggled to respond. Russell missed a jumper. Towns committed a foul on a screen, and OKC took control. A late three by Edwards cut the lead to 5, but the Thunder hit their free throws and closed it out.
The Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder match player stats show strong finishes by OKC’s stars. In crunch time, they made fewer mistakes and bigger plays.
Full Stat Recap
Final Score: Thunder 112, Timberwolves 105
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 31 pts, 7 ast, 5 reb
Anthony Edwards: 29 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast
Chet Holmgren: 17 pts, 9 reb, 2 blk
Rudy Gobert: 12 pts, 14 reb, 4 blk
Team 3-Pointers: Thunder 14 (44%) – Timberwolves 9 (32%)
Turnovers: Timberwolves 17 – Thunder 11
Rebounds: Even at 45 each
Free Throws: Thunder 21/25 – Timberwolves 14/18
FAQs
1. Who was the leading scorer in the game?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all players with 31 points for the Thunder.
2. How did Anthony Edwards perform overall?
Edwards had 29 points with strong shooting and also added defensive effort and rebounds.
3. Did Rudy Gobert or Chet Holmgren play better defensively?
Both were effective, but Gobert had more rebounds and blocks, while Holmgren contributed in multiple areas.
4. Which team had better three-point shooting?
The Thunder shot 44% from deep, much better than the Timberwolves’ 32%.
5. What role did turnovers play in this game?
Minnesota’s 17 turnovers gave OKC easy points and helped them control the pace.
6. How did both benches perform?
OKC’s bench outscored Minnesota’s. Isaiah Joe played well, while the Timberwolves struggled with consistency from their backups.
Conclusion
The Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder match player stats offer a clear picture of how the Thunder earned their win. They hit their threes, protected the ball, made free throws, and had consistent scoring inside and out.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way, staying cool under pressure and finding teammates when it counted. Chet Holmgren continued to impress as a rookie, and OKC’s depth made a big difference.
The Timberwolves fought hard. Anthony Edwards stepped up, and Rudy Gobert played strong defense inside. But turnovers, cold shooting from deep, and a lack of bench production made it tough to keep pace down the stretch.
In the end, this was a competitive, high-quality game between two young, talented teams. And the stats don’t lie—Oklahoma City’s execution in key moments made all the difference.
