OKC Thunder show fight, lose sloppy game vs Wolves

The OKC Thunder traveled north to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in downtown Minneapolis at the Target center on Wednesday night. The Thunder strolled in fresh off a loss to the Dallas Mavericks which included a historic display from the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Josh Giddey, who became the youngest player in NBA history to log a triple-double. The Thunder looked to bounce back, seeing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander return to the lineup after a one-game absence in the NBA’s Health and Safety protocols. SGA explained after the contest that he received a non-conclusive test before ripping off a string of negative COVID-19 tests.

Before the contest, Chris Finch, the Minnesota Timberwolves head man and one of the rising stars in the NBA coaching ranks, had high praise of Giddey who Finch likened to Luka Doncic and LaMelo Ball. If the Wolves bench boss is right with those comparisons, Sam Presti should be dancing in his office each morning while he waits for his cup of coffee to brew thinking about the Melbourne, Australia native if he is not already.

OKC Thunder fall to Minnesota despite showing some fight in a very sloppy contest

The Oklahoma City Thunder are still missing their head coach Mark Daigneault and top assistant Dave Bliss, as Mike Wilks does a fantastic job in Daigneault’s place as the acting head coach. Despite seeing Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Darius Bazley, Tre Mann, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander return to the lineup the Thunder didn’t have a spark in this tilt. OKC still was missing Isaiah Roby, Derrick Favors, and key contributor, defensive star Lu Dort.

The OKC Thunder were dominated in the first quarter losing the frame 30-10, before winning the next two periods 26-19 and 27-20. The Wolves grew their lead so quick, it never changed hands, the scoreboard only being deadlocked twice.

Once down by 21, the Thunder eventually only lost by eight to the upstart Wolves. The slow start was largely due to max contract point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander going 0-for-3 in the opening quarter, 1-for-3 in the second frame, before finally getting going in the third quarter shooting at a 60-percent clip in the frame. The All-Star caliber guard finished with 19 points, five assists, two rebounds while shooting 33-percent from the floor, and distance adding seven-for-seven from the line.

OKC saw four other double-digit scorers in this game including Aaron Wiggins, Kenrich Williams, Giddey, and Darius Bazley. The Thunder could not stop Patrick Beverley, who has been a thorn in the team’s side (or knee) since he entered the league. Beverley poured in 20 points, dishing six assists, and hauled in four rebounds, while making 54-percent of his shots. He nailed the dagger for the Wolves late in the fourth quarter.

These two teams will meet again, this time in Oklahoma City, on Friday Night in downtown Bricktown at the Paycom Center.