Timberwolves Roar Back in Game 3: Blowout Win Redefines the Series

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Final Score: Timberwolves 143 – Thunder 101

Game 3 wasn’t just a win, it was a statement.

After falling into an 0–2 hole, the Minnesota Timberwolves returned home and absolutely demolished the Oklahoma City Thunder in a 42-point blowout that might have just flipped the entire series on its head.

This Game 3 performance wasn’t just about survival, it was about dominance, poise, and proof of playoff maturity.

🎧 Want the full breakdown? Check out this week’s episode of Harrison Talks Pod for more insights, quotes, and behind-the-scenes playoff narratives.

First Quarter Firestorm: Wolves Set the Tone Early

The Timberwolves came out blazing, outscoring OKC 34–14 in the first quarter, the largest 1Q margin of the 2025 playoffs so far. Oklahoma City looked completely rattled.

  • OKC First Quarter Stats: 5-of-20 FG (25%), 1-of-7 from three

  • Minnesota’s Energy: 9 assists in Q1 vs. OKC’s 2

  • Target Center: Loud, locked in, and feeding the fire

Anthony Edwards wasted no time getting to work, setting an energetic tone that the entire team fed off of. It was clear from the jump, this wasn’t going to be another quiet night in Minneapolis.

Rudy Gobert’s Redemption Arc

After being labeled "unplayable" in the first two games, Rudy Gobert silenced the noise with a defensive clinic.

  • Defensive Shift: Played higher in the pick-and-roll, disrupting SGA’s flow

  • SGA’s Struggles: Just 14 points on 4/13 shooting, 4 turnovers, -32 +/-

  • Paint Domination: Chet’s cold shooting allowed Minnesota to collapse inside with no fear

The Wolves didn’t just “hope” to play better defense, they redesigned the entire strategy, and Gobert delivered.

Edwards Leads with a Statement Game

Anthony Edwards' Game 3 Line:
30 points
9 rebounds
6 assists
5-of-8 from three

Beyond the numbers, this was about presence. Edwards showed control, composure, and clutch instincts. After a poor shooting Game 2, he flipped the switch, mixing drives, pull-ups, and off-ball movement to keep OKC guessing.

Role Players Rise & Coaching Adjustments Hit

This wasn’t just the Ant-Man show. The supporting cast stepped up big.

  • Terrence Shannon Jr.: 15 points in 13 minutes, pure energy burst

  • Nas Reid: Finally found his stroke, drilling 2 threes after a cold start to the series

  • Jaden McDaniels: Efficient 24 points on 60% shooting, brought both ends of the floor

Head coach Chris Finch made crucial adjustments after Game 2, shifting defensive containment strategies and letting the Wolves force OKC into awkward, rushed decisions. It worked.

Meanwhile, OKC’s midgame tweaks, like inserting Isaiah Joe to start the second half, came too little, too late.

What It Means Moving Forward

  • Momentum Shift? This wasn't just a win, it was emotional dominance

  • Game 4 Outlook: If Minnesota holds serve, this series resets at 2–2

  • OKC’s Challenge: Adjust to Minnesota’s length and intensity or risk spiraling

📍 Game 4 tips Monday in Minneapolis. And if the Thunder don’t adjust? This might go from series lead to series loss real quick.

Keep the Conversation Going

Have thoughts on the Wolves’ dominance or the Thunder’s falloff?

Drop your take:

  • Is Anthony Edwards entering true superstar territory?

  • Can Gobert keep this up defensively for the rest of the series?

  • Who’s the better coach this round: Finch or Daigneault?

🎧 Don’t miss the full deep-dive breakdown on Harrison Talks Pod

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