OKC Thunder: Player grades for last-second loss to Timberwolves

The OKC Thunder went into Friday night’s game looking for their second consecutive win at home. Against the struggling Minnesota Timberwolves, the game appeared to be a guaranteed win. But the Timberwolves came to play, matching the Thunder well throughout the game and escaping with a win after D’Angelo Russell hit a 3-pointer with 3.7 seconds left to put the Timberwolves up for good, 106-103.

The Thunder were without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, Theo Maledon, and George Hill. Their absences paved the way for other players to get more time on the court, each of which played solid games.

But it didn’t stop the Thunder from picking up their eighth loss at home.

OKC Thunder played well, but the Timberwolves played better

The OKC Thunder did a lot of things right in the game. On top of shooting better at 45.9 percent from the field compared to Minnesota’s 43.6 percent, the Thunder also outrebounded the Timberwolves 55-50, picked up fewer fouls and finished with more assists and blocks.

The Thunder were led by Al Horford, who scored a season-high 26 points in the game on 52.6 percent shooting while also posting a season-high eight assists.

Hamidou Diallo scored 16 points on 46.2 percent shooting while posting a season-high 10 assists. Mike Muscala added 13 points, Darius Bazley scored 12 and Isaiah Roby finished with 11 points.