Anthony Edwards Returns to Save the Day as Timberwolves Outlast Thunder 112-107 in Gritty Target Center Thriller

It wasn’t a masterpiece at all for the Timberwolves. If you were looking for a clinic on offensive efficiency or fluid ball movement, you probably wanted to change the channel during the first half. But if you wanted drama, physicality, and a superstar reminding the league exactly who he is, then the Target Center was the only place to be on Friday night.

In a game that felt more like a heavyweight boxing match than a basketball game, the Minnesota Timberwolves clawed their way to a 112-107 victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The narrative coming in was heavy: a national broadcast, the holiday break looming, and the return of Anthony Edwards after a three-game absence. And, true to form, Edwards didn’t just return; he arrived.

Timberwolves Rally After Finch Ejection

The energy in Minneapolis was already buzzing, but the temperature in the arena spiked in the first quarter. Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch, clearly frustrated with the whistle, found himself ejected before the game even really settled into a rhythm.

Usually, seeing your leader sent to the locker room early can deflate a team. For Minnesota, it seemed to act as a splash of cold water to the face. The game was mucked up early on—a grind-it-out affair where baskets were scarce. The Timberwolves shot a dismal 34% from the floor in the first half, struggling to find the bottom of the net. But they stayed in the fight by getting to the line, attempting a staggering, season-high 47 free throws. They didn’t make them all—leaving 14 points on the table by shooting just 70% from the stripe—but the aggression kept them alive while the offense sputtered.

Edwards vs. Gilgeous-Alexander: A Star Showdown

While the game was messy, the individual talent on display was undeniable. On one side, you had Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the smooth operator for the Thunder. He was surgical, finishing with a game-high 35 points and dishing out seven assists. Every time the Timberwolves looked like they might pull away, SGA had an answer, silencing the crowd with tough jumpers and crafty finishes at the rim.

But the night belonged to the guy in the home jersey. Anthony Edwards, showing no signs of rust from his time off, put up 26 points and snagged 12 rebounds. It wasn’t just the volume of his production; it was the timing. When the Timberwolves needed a bucket to stop the bleeding, Edwards demanded the ball.

The Chaos of the Final Minute

The game ultimately came down to a chaotic, frantic final 60 seconds that perfectly encapsulated the night.

With just under a minute to play, Julius Randle—who struggled from the floor, shooting 3-for-15—went to the line. He made the first free throw but missed the second. In a massive swing of momentum, the Timberwolves managed to retain possession on the miss. That hustle play set the stage for the defining moment of the game.

With the clock ticking down inside 40 seconds, Edwards found himself with the ball in his hands on the perimeter. He didn’t hesitate. He rose for a step-back 3-pointer—the kind of shot that looks ill-advised if it misses and legendary if it goes in.

It went in.

The splash put the Timberwolves up for good with 38.5 seconds remaining, sending the Target Center crowd into a frenzy.

Defense Seals the Deal for Timberwolves

Hitting the go-ahead shot wasn’t enough for Edwards. On the very next possession, with the Thunder looking to Gilgeous-Alexander to save them, Edwards flipped the switch to defense. He hounded the Thunder star, picking his pocket clean for a steal that effectively iced the game.

It was a sequence that highlighted Edwards’ growth from a pure scorer to a two-way force: a dagger three on one end, and a game-winning stop on the other.

While Edwards and Randle (19 points) grabbed the headlines, the supporting cast did the dirty work. Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo provided a spark off the bench with 15 points apiece, and Rudy Gobert controlled the glass with 14 rebounds.

This wasn’t the prettiest win on the schedule, but beating the defending champs rarely is. It was a statement that even when things get ugly, the Timberwolves have the star power and the grit to come out on top.

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