The Oklahoma City Thunder suffered its first loss of the Western Conference Finals on Saturday, and it was not pretty. The Thunder played the worst they arguably have in this playoff run, losing in embarrassing fashion, 143-101, to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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The Thunder are still up in the series, 2-1, but this puts the Timberwolves in a firm position to get back in the series and tie it for Game 4.
The Thunder did not look sharp, including their best player and MVP of the season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Gilgeous-Alexander had arguably his worst performance of the playoffs, and not only was that the case, but he was ridiculed by fans while at the free-throw line. The Timberwolves fans were not kind to the MVP, chanting “free-throw merchant” during the second quarter of Game 3.
The MVP has been ridiculed all season long for his foul-baiting tactics. It’s been a constant theme on social media, and the Timberwolves have more than brought it to life.
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In only 28 minutes of action, Gilgeous-Alexander recorded 14 points on a very poor 4-of-13 shooting from the field, six assists, two rebounds and one block.
The three-time All-Star was hard on himself and the team after the loss, saying they didn’t bring the exact focus and energy to steal Game 3.
“We just didn’t bring it from an energy and focus standpoint. We just didn’t have it. They obviously had it with the sense of urgency, knowing if they go down 3-0 it’s going to be pretty tough and we just, what it felt like, eased into the game and they didn’t and they blitzed us pretty early and we were never able to get back because of it,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “They just came out with a sense of urgency and we didn’t, and on top of that, when you play a really good team it looks like that. We gotta start, come out with a sense of urgency and see where the game lays.”
Minnesota made light work of the Thunder, dominating from the opening tip. The Timberwolves jumped out to a 20-point lead after the first quarter, extended it to 31 by halftime, and at one point in the second half, they held a commanding 45-point advantage.
Gilgeous-Alexander, 26, never found his rhythm in the game. After knocking down his first shot in the opening quarter, he failed to score again, as Minnesota quickly took control and dictated the pace the rest of the way.
Game 4 at the Target Center will be on Monday.
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