After taking a commanding 2-0 lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder laid a real stinker in Minnesota for Game 3. Turning the ball over and playing with a lackadaisical attitude led to an early deficit that they simply could not overcome, and in the end, they suffered a 143-101 loss, the worst playoff loss in franchise history.
SGA was mic’d up breaking down why the Thunder lost Game 3 👀 pic.twitter.com/3BkjkEPNcQ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 25, 2025
The Thunder has played poorly at times in the playoffs thus far, although none as badly as Saturday night’s outing. OKC has done a good job at rebounding from bad games with good ones, and they have a great opportunity to remind everyone why they’re the favorite to not just win this series but win the NBA Finals.
In theory, bouncing back in Game 4 is really as simple as taking care of the ball and matching the physicality of the Timberwolves, but actually making it happen won’t be so easy. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams combined for 8 of the Thunder’s 15 turnovers, and they made just 7 of 22 combined attempts from the field. They have to be better, but in general, each player on the team has to step his game up, as nobody played particularly well in Game 3.
Give Minnesota credit, though. They came into Game 3 with a renewed energy, putting the pressure on the Thunder, and knocking down shots when they counted. The Timberwolves are unlikely to shoot as well as they did on Saturday, knocking down 20-of-40 (50%) from downtown and 55-of-96 (57.3%) overall from the field, but you can guarantee they’re going to do everything they can to even up the series.
This game is unlikely to be decided early like Game 3 was, so whichever team can stay focused and continue to make the next right play will come away with the victory and a lot of momentum ahead of Game 5.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 7:30 PM CT
Location: Target Center (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Television: ESPN
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @ZacharyLowNBA for live tweets and discussion during the game
Game Notes: Oklahoma City Thunder Official Game Notes, Minnesota Timberwolves Official Game Notes
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Luguentz Dort
- SF: Jalen Williams
- PF: Chet Holmgren
- C: Isaiah Hartenstein
Timberwolves
- PG: Mike Conley
- SG: Anthony Edwards
- SF: Jaden McDaniels
- PF: Julius Randle
- C: Rudy Gobert
Injury Report
Thunder
- Nikola Topic (left knee surgery) is OUT.
Timberwolves
- NONE
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 40-26 against the Timberwolves (20-12 at home, 20-14 on the road) and 2-1 in the Playoffs (2-0 at home, 0-1 on the road).
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has won the 4-game regular season series against the Timberwolves 9 times, lost it 3 times, and tied it 4 times.
- The Thunder went 2-2 against the Timberwolves in the regular season (1-1 at home, 1-1 on the road).
- OKC leads Minnesota 2-1 in the Western Conference Finals (2-0 at home, 0-1 on the road).