Perseverance and talent were on full display by the Oklahoma City Thunder in their last playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. They went on to win a hard-fought victory, 114-88. This win is a game changer. This was an expected but surprising win. They now stand just one playoff win away from tying a franchise record, seeking to eclipse the Seattle SuperSonics’ 77 wins from the 1995-96 season.
The contest played out at the Target Center in Minneapolis following an extremely short one-day turnaround for the Thunder. Though the Thunder experienced adversity right from the start, going down 8-0 before they scored their first point, the team battled back to finish strong. Chet Holmgren, who missed 39 games this season due to a right pelvic fracture, is one of the key figures spearheading the team’s remarkable turnaround. He was responsible for some of the most meaningful play in the third quarter. His continued efforts helped ignite a 10-0 run, putting the Thunder on top, 66-60.
Oklahoma City’s defense was smothering the entire game, creating turnovers that turned into run-outs and fast breaks for easy baskets. Holmgren’s inside presence was key, as his rebounding and scoring not only made a difference on the floor but sparked his teammates. The turnovers and points off them quickly became a runaway specialty for the Thunder, as they showed an incredible aptitude for turning defensive stands into offensive fireworks.
In perhaps the least surprising news of the day, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander struggled in the first half. Surely that explains how he scored only 11 points on an awful 2-of-13 shooting. He had a huge second half, coming to life as his team’s leading scorer, finishing with 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting. His grit personified the team’s determination and ability to improvise amid duress.
While Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso are back from respective injuries. Hartenstein missed 20 games with a fractured left hand and calf issues, as Caruso missed 25 games with several injuries. The comeback they mounted shone a light on the Thunder’s depth and experience. Caruso is the only player on the roster who has played on a championship winning team. He won a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
Luguentz Dort acknowledged the impact of veteran players on their young team:
“Shout out to the older guys on our team [who] are very vocal. You got AC [Caruso], Hart [Hartenstein], you got Shai leading the guys, which is a good thing for us.” – Luguentz Dort
Coach Mark Daigneault praised his players’ backgrounds, stating:
“These guys are big-time people, first and foremost. They come from big-time families… it makes a lot more sense.” – Mark Daigneault
Players like Hartenstein believe that their maturity is often underestimated:
“Yeah, we’re young. We’re a lot more mature than people know we are.” – Isaiah Hartenstein
More than anything else, it’s the Thunder’s knack for staying locked in and unflappable that has served as their dividing line this season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander expressed his belief that actions speak louder than words:
“I’m not always the loudest guy in the room… Actions always mean louder than words.” – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Dort emphasized the need to keep perspective:
“It’s too hard to celebrate until you get the whole job done.” – Luguentz Dort
The Thunder finished an impressive 16 games ahead of the second-place Houston Rockets in the Western Conference during the regular season. At least, that is until they hit the court during their dramatic playoff run that’s been drama free off the court. That placid beauty has been the perfect distraction to allow them to focus on mission.
If they want to go deeper into the playoffs, the Thunder will need to use their combined talents and backgrounds to get there. That win against Minnesota represents a new high point in that momentum. What it does, though, is highlight their promise as they continue to reach for greater heights.
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