Anthony Edwards delivered a statement performance, scoring 30 points with 9 rebounds and 6 assists in three quarters, as the Minnesota Timberwolves routed the Oklahoma City Thunder 143-101 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals on May 24, 2025, at the Target Center, cutting the Thunder’s series lead to 2-1. The Wolves, who struggled offensively in their first two road losses (88-114, 103-118, per NBA.com), flipped the script with a 79-52 lead by the third quarter, driven by Edwards’ 5-for-8 three-point shooting and relentless pressure, while their bench, led by Julius Randle’s 24 points, overwhelmed OKC’s top-ranked defense (per Yahoo Sports). Game 4 is set for Monday night in Minneapolis.
Edwards, after a 1-for-9 three-point outing in Game 2, rediscovered his rhythm, adding breakaway dunks and a highlight reverse layup, while rookie Terrence Shannon Jr. chipped in 15 points in 13 minutes (per prior web results). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the 2024-25 NBA MVP, struggled with 14 points on 4-for-13 shooting and 4 turnovers, exiting early as the Thunder trailed by 38 points in the third (per NBA.com). The Thunder, who shot 50% in the first two games, managed just 12-for-40 in the first half, unable to match Minnesota’s intensity, as coach Mark Daigneault noted their lack of physicality (per Yahoo Sports).
The Wolves, now 1-2 in the series, avoided a third-quarter collapse—having been outscored 69-37 in that period over Games 1 and 2—by outscoring OKC 44-23 in the third, a testament to Edwards’ leadership and the crowd’s energy, which taunted Gilgeous-Alexander with “Free throw merchant!” chants (per prior recap). Minnesota’s bench depth, with Shannon Jr.’s impact echoing his 21-point Game 2 performance, gives them momentum heading into Game 4 (per Yahoo Sports). The Thunder, despite their 44-10 regular-season record, must regroup to protect their lead in a now-hostile Target Center.
