Anthony Edwards Names 3 Reasons Wolves Took Down Thunder

Anthony Edwards returned from injury and immediately reminded everyone why the Minnesota Timberwolves trust him in the biggest moments. Edwards poured in 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied past the Oklahoma City Thunder for a 112-107 win Friday night in Minneapolis.

Minnesota closed the game on an 8-0 run in the final minute, flipping a tight contest with defensive grit and timely shot-making. Julius Randle added 19 points and eight rebounds, while Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid chipped in 15 apiece as the Timberwolves won for the eighth time in 10 games.

The defining moment arrived with 38.5 seconds left. After Randle split a pair at the line, Rudy Gobert tapped the rebound back to keep possession alive. Edwards took over from there, shook free on the wing, and drilled a deep step-back three that gave Minnesota the lead for good.

“I’m not passing the ball. I knew it was going up,” Edwards said. “When it left my hand, I knew it was going in.”

Edwards Delivers Late, Then Locks In on Defense

The shot told part of the story. The defense finished it.

On the Thunder’s next trip, Edwards met reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the rim and rejected his attempt. Moments later, Edwards read the floor again, cut off the driving lane, and stripped Gilgeous-Alexander clean to seal the outcome.

“I knew he was trying to go for a three,” Edwards said. “Just trying to be solid.”

Gilgeous-Alexander still led Oklahoma City with 35 points and seven assists, but Minnesota forced difficult decisions late. The Timberwolves survived a rough shooting night and missed free throws by leaning into effort plays, rebounds, and defensive communication.

“At the end of the day, we’re putting the ball in his hands and asking him to bring us home,” DiVincenzo said. “That’s exactly what he did.”

‘Those Three Guys Played Great Defense Tonight’

Despite the heroics, Edwards deflected credit toward his teammates when asked how Minnesota pulled it out against one of the league’s top teams.

“Jaden played phenomenal defense, Rudy was great today, little Rob was great today,” Edwards said. “Those three guys played great defense tonight.”

Edwards pointed directly to Jaden McDaniels, Rudy Gobert, and guard Rob Dillingham as the backbone of the win. McDaniels spent the night sliding into gaps and cutting off angles. Gobert controlled the glass and created extra possessions. Dillingham provided energy and pressure that disrupted Oklahoma City’s rhythm.

The result handed the Thunder just their third loss of the season. It also came with context. Oklahoma City entered on the second night of a back-to-back, while Minnesota circled the matchup after losing a playoff series to the Thunder last spring.

Edwards kept that perspective in check afterward.

“That’s just one win, man. That’s a regular-season win,” he said. “They’re the best team in the league by far.”

Minnesota improved to 18-10 with the victory, and the building felt it. Every stop carried weight. Every rebound drew noise. For one night, the Timberwolves matched elite shot-making with collective defense, then let their star finish the job.

“You could feel every defensive stop, every rebound,” DiVincenzo said. “That’s the atmosphere we need every single night.”

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