Highlights: OKC at MIN
BOX SCORE: OKC at MIN
By Paris Lawson | Broadcast and Digital Reporter | okcthunder.com
THE BIG PICTURE
A shorthanded Thunder squad fell behind early to a scorching Timberwolves offense. Undermanned on the second night of a home-road back-to back, OKC found itself in an uphill battle against a Minnesota squad on its home floor who found a groove from the opening frame and didn’t look back.
MOMENTS FROM THE 48
White Hot Wolves
Minnesota had been on a tear for the last five games and continued that trend against the Thunder on Wednesday. The T'wolves shot at a 52 percent clip from the field and 42 percent from the 3-point line which was almost entirely fueled by Malik Beasley who drained 11 for the night.
The T'wolves caught fire early putting up 32 points in the first quarter behind Beasley’s 18. The Thunder kept pace through the majority of the first quarter, but a 13-0 Minnesota run at the end of the frame gave the T'wolves their first double-digit lead of the ball game and they didn’t look back.
Behind its early offensive rhythm and the surge from its home crowd, Minnesota was rolling with downhill momentum for the next three frames. When the 3-pointers cooled off in the second quarter for Minnesota, the team racked up 15 free throw attempts to bolster the offense.
The Thunder worked to tighten the screws defensively out of halftime. After allowing 18 free throw attempts in the first half, the Thunder didn’t give up a single trip to the line in the third quarter. By the end of the frame, the Thunder outscored Minnesota 32-27.
The effort wouldn’t be enough to mount a comeback as Minnesota continued their offensive tear through the final frame to hold onto a decisive lead.
“There was a lot we could control,” said Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault. “I thought we left our feet a lot and put ourselves in disadvantages against a team that plays well when you give them an advantage. Beasley obviously saw a couple go in early and then it's hard to turn a guy like that off when he’s playing with that kind of confidence. So credit them they played really well but certainly plenty that we could have controlled tonight.”
Shai in Excusive Company
In the very opening possession of the ball game Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped off a pass to Isaiah Roby under the rim for a layup. The dime put him at 1,000 career assists which vaulted him into pretty exclusive company.
Gilgeous-Alexander is one of just three players from the 2018 draft class to have logged 4,000 career points and 1,000 career assists. This comes as SGA has racked up a career high assist total for the season and dropped a career-high 14 assists against the Bucks on Tuesday night.
What a Night for Wiggins
Thunder rookie Aaron Wiggins found a rhythm behind the arc himself. The Maryland product sank a career-high five triples on the way to a career-high 25 points, but made an impact in multiple ways on the floor. Wiggins also pulled down nine rebounds and dished out five assists that led directly 12 points for the Thunder.
“I'm impressed by the fact that it just comes out of the flow of what we're trying to do,” said Daigneault. “He just played a simple game tonight. He shot good open, catch and shoot shots, drove simple plays and passed the ball pretty well on some of the secondary playmaking opportunities.”
“One thing our coaches emphasize is just being able to make quick decisions and play off the catch,” said Wiggins. “A lot of those shots were just me feeling open enough to take the open shot and making a quick decision to shoot it.”
THE LAST WORD
WHAT'S NEXT
The Thunder will have three days off before returning to action on Sunday inside of Paycom Center to take on the Memphis Grizzlies.