The Minnesota Timberwolves eased past the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 123–111 home win on Thursday night, extending their winning run to three games and calming fears of a mid-season wobble.
The NBA clash, played at Target Center in Minneapolis, saw Minnesota take control early and never let go, despite another standout night from Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
This Timberwolves vs Thunder result matters because it shows Minnesota rediscovering defensive intensity and squad depth at a crucial stage of the regular season, while Oklahoma City struggled without several key players.
What happened in Timberwolves vs Thunder?
Minnesota set the tone from the opening minutes, racing into a 14-point first-quarter lead and stretching the gap to 22 points at its peak.
The Timberwolves dominated possession, punished mistakes, and shut down most of Oklahoma City’s supporting cast.
STACKING WINS. pic.twitter.com/17Xb8T0rIZ
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) January 30, 2026
By half-time, the result already felt beyond doubt.
Final score:
Minnesota Timberwolves 123
Oklahoma City Thunder 111
Why did Minnesota control the game so early?
The answer lies in defence, energy, and effort. The Timberwolves forced 15 Thunder turnovers, converting them into 30 fast-break points. They also controlled the glass, recording 28 second-chance points, a clear sign of physical dominance.
Anthony Edwards berhasil memanfaatkan kesalahan Chet Holmgren ✅
Tonton siaran langsung SEKARANG: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves. #NBAonPrimeVideo pic.twitter.com/xeo34Ia67L
— Prime Video Indonesia (@primevideoid) January 30, 2026
Seven Minnesota players grabbed four or more rebounds, underlining a team-first approach that had been missing in recent defeats.
This was Minnesota’s fourth game in five days, making the intensity even more impressive. “That’s the kind of effort we expect from ourselves,” a Timberwolves coach told US media after the game. “We defended, shared the ball, and trusted each other.”
How important was Naz Reid’s performance?
Very. Naz Reid continued his strong run of form, scoring 18 points and pulling down seven rebounds. He knocked down four three-pointers and is now shooting 45% from beyond the arc over his last four games.
Reid’s ability to stretch the floor gave Minnesota flexibility and punished Oklahoma City whenever they tried to close the paint.
For a UK audience less familiar with NBA rotations, Reid’s role is similar to a high-impact substitute in football, not always starting, but often decisive.
Did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander get enough support?
No, and that was the Thunder’s biggest problem. The reigning NBA MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, delivered another elite performance, finishing with:
- 30 points
- 8 assists
- 6 rebounds
However, Oklahoma City arrived short-handed. Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, and Ajay Mitchell all missed the game through injury, leaving Gilgeous-Alexander with limited help.
The Thunder have now lost three of their last four games, though their strong early-season form still keeps them near the top of the Western Conference standings.
What does this win mean for Minnesota’s season?
This result suggests Minnesota’s recent struggles may be behind them.
After concerns that the Timberwolves were losing momentum, three straight wins, including this confident showing in Timberwolves vs Thunder, point to renewed focus and defensive discipline.
The team looked organised, aggressive, and mentally sharp, qualities that often define deep playoff runs in the NBA.
