Game ID: 22400826
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Monday, February 24, 2025 at 8:00 PM ET
Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT1 Final
OKC 32 32 38 19 7 128MIN 28 17 35 41 10 131
MIN @ OKC ScoutingMIN @ OKC Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
OKC availability going into 2/12 · 1 day's restOUT Wallace missed 5 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Mitchell missed 18 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Jal. Williams back 2/05 after 2, 30 min since (92% of 33)
BACK Dort back 2/10 after 2, 25 min since (86% of 29)
BACK Holmgren back 2/07 after 39, 23 min since (83% of 28)
BACK Caruso back 2/05 after 2, 21 min since (99% of 21)
NEW Wiggins 21 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Jay. Williams 14 to 20 min over the last 5
OKC availability going into 2/13 · back-to-backOUT Wallace missed 6 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Mitchell missed 19 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Jal. Williams back 2/05 after 2, 30 min since (92% of 33)
BACK Dort back 2/10 after 2, 28 min since (98% of 29)
BACK Holmgren back 2/07 after 39, 23 min since (83% of 28)
BACK Caruso back 2/05 after 2, 19 min since (91% of 21)
NEW Wiggins 21 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Joe 19 to 25 min over the last 4
OKC availability going into 2/21 · 7 days' restOUT Wallace missed 7 since 2/03, returns tonight: 22 min (84% of 26)
OUT Mitchell missed 20 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Dort back 2/10 after 2, 30 min since (102% of 29)
BACK Holmgren back 2/07 after 39, 26 min since (90% of 28)
NEW Wiggins 21 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Joe 19 to 25 min over the last 4
OKC availability going into 2/23 · 1 day's restOUT Mitchell missed 21 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Dort back 2/10 after 2, 29 min since (99% of 29)
BACK Wallace back 2/21 after 7, 22 min since (84% of 26)
NEW Wiggins 21 to 26 min over the last 5
OKC availability going into 2/24 · back-to-backOUT Jay. Williams missed 2 since 2/21, returns tonight: 18 min (124% of 14)
OUT Mitchell missed 22 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Dort back 2/10 after 2, 29 min since (101% of 29)
BACK Wallace back 2/21 after 7, 22 min since (84% of 26)
OKC availability going into 2/26 · 1 day's restOUT Mitchell missed 23 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Wallace back 2/21 after 7, 26 min since (100% of 26)
BACK Jay. Williams back 2/24 after 2, 18 min since (124% of 14)
OKC availability going into 2/28 · 1 day's restOUT Mitchell missed 24 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Wallace back 2/21 after 7, 27 min since (104% of 26)
BACK Jay. Williams back 2/24 after 2, 11 min since (78% of 14)
OKC availability going into 3/02 · 1 day's restOUT Mitchell missed 25 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Wallace back 2/21 after 7, 27 min since (104% of 26)
BACK Jay. Williams back 2/24 after 2, 12 min since (82% of 14)
OKC availability going into 3/03 · back-to-backOUT Mitchell missed 26 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Jay. Williams back 2/24 after 2, 12 min since (85% of 14)
MIN availability going into 2/12 · 1 day's restOUT Randle missed 6 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT DiVincenzo missed 14 since 1/17, out tonight
OUT Conley missed 2 since 2/08, out tonight
NEW Reid 27 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Clark 12 to 21 min over the last 5
NEW Dillingham 10 to 18 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 2/13 · back-to-backOUT Randle missed 7 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT DiVincenzo missed 15 since 1/17, out tonight
OUT Conley missed 3 since 2/08, out tonight
NEW Reid 27 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Alexander-Walker 25 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Clark 12 to 20 min over the last 5
NEW Dillingham 10 to 18 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 2/21 · 7 days' restOUT Randle missed 8 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT DiVincenzo missed 16 since 1/17, out tonight
OUT Conley missed 4 since 2/08, returns tonight: 24 min (98% of 25)
NEW Reid 27 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Alexander-Walker 25 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Clark 12 to 21 min over the last 5
NEW Dillingham 10 to 19 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 2/23 · 1 day's restOUT Randle missed 9 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Gobert missed 2 since 2/13, out tonight
OUT DiVincenzo missed 17 since 1/17, out tonight
BACK Conley back 2/21 after 4, 24 min since (98% of 25)
NEW McDaniels 32 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Reid 27 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Alexander-Walker 25 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Clark 12 to 21 min over the last 5
NEW Dillingham 10 to 18 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 2/24 · back-to-backOUT Randle missed 10 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Gobert missed 3 since 2/13, out tonight
OUT DiVincenzo missed 18 since 1/17, out tonight
BACK Conley back 2/21 after 4, 28 min since (113% of 25)
NEW McDaniels 32 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Reid 27 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Alexander-Walker 25 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Clark 12 to 18 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 2/27 · 2 days' restOUT Randle missed 11 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Gobert missed 4 since 2/13, out tonight
OUT DiVincenzo missed 19 since 1/17, returns tonight: 23 min (90% of 26)
BACK Conley back 2/21 after 4, 23 min since (94% of 25)
NEW McDaniels 32 to 40 min over the last 5
NEW Reid 27 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Alexander-Walker 25 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Clark 12 to 21 min over the last 5
NEW Dillingham 10 to 16 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 2/28 · back-to-backOUT Randle missed 12 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Gobert missed 5 since 2/13, out tonight
BACK DiVincenzo back 2/27 after 19, 23 min since (90% of 26)
BACK Conley back 2/21 after 4, 24 min since (97% of 25)
NEW McDaniels 32 to 40 min over the last 5
NEW Reid 27 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Alexander-Walker 25 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Clark 12 to 22 min over the last 5
NEW Dillingham 10 to 15 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 3/02 · 1 day's restOUT Randle missed 13 since 2/01, returns tonight: 34 min (103% of 33)
OUT Gobert missed 6 since 2/13, out tonight
BACK DiVincenzo back 2/27 after 19, 25 min since (96% of 26)
BACK Conley back 2/21 after 4, 24 min since (97% of 25)
NEW McDaniels 32 to 39 min over the last 5
NEW Reid 27 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Alexander-Walker 25 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Clark 12 to 20 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 3/04 · 1 day's restOUT Gobert missed 7 since 2/13, out tonight
BACK Randle back 3/02 after 13, 34 min since (103% of 33)
BACK DiVincenzo back 2/27 after 19, 25 min since (99% of 26)
NEW McDaniels 32 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Reid 27 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Alexander-Walker 25 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Clark 12 to 18 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 110, shooting 49 percent and 43 from three, 20 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 29 and Jal. Williams at 18 a game. Second night of a back-to-back. Minnesota comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 117, shooting 42 percent and 30 from three, 24 free throws a game; Edwards at 32 and Reid at 21 a game. Without Randle (10 straight), Gobert (3 straight), DiVincenzo (18 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the arc, OKC at 43 percent from three to Minnesota's 30 and the defense, OKC allowing 110 a night to Minnesota's 117. Call it OKC 118, Minnesota 108, OKC by 10.
2/12 vs MIA 115-101 — OKC notes
OKC won 115-101. OKC shot 49% (43 of 88) to MIA's 46%, 15 of 39 from three. Gilgeous-Alexander led with 32 (11 of 22, 4 of 9 from three, 6 of 9 at the line); Jal. Williams added 18, Dort 17. The hinge was Q4, 32-8: OKC came in trailing by 10 and left it ahead by 14. OKC trailed 52-63 at the half and won the second half 63-38. Joe was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
2/13 @ MIN 101-116 — OKC notes
OKC lost 101-116. OKC shot 42% (37 of 88) to MIN's 42%, 7 of 29 from three. Gilgeous-Alexander led with 24 (6 of 21, 11 of 11 at the line); Jal. Williams added 20, Dort 14. Q2 was theirs, 32-27, the deficit cut from 13 to 8, but the other 3 periods went 89-69 against them. Wiggins's -26 in 19 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/21 @ UTA 130-107 — OKC notes
OKC won 130-107. OKC shot 47% (46 of 97) to UTA's 46%, 19 of 43 from three. OKC turned it over 12 times to UTA's 19. Gilgeous-Alexander led with 21 (7 of 16, 1 of 4 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Holmgren added 20, Jal. Williams 18. The hinge was Q2, 39-25: a lead of 7 became 21, and the lead reached 25. Holmgren was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
2/23 @ MIN 130-123 — OKC notes
OKC won 130-123. OKC shot 56% (48 of 86) to MIN's 44%, 19 of 35 from three, and got to the line 20 times to MIN's 28. Gilgeous-Alexander led with 37 (13 of 24, 3 of 6 from three, 8 of 11 at the line); Holmgren added 19, Jal. Williams 18. The hinge was Q1, 35-23: from level to 12 ahead, and the lead reached 19. OKC trailed 61-63 at the half and won the second half 69-60.
2/24 vs MIN 128-131 — OKC notes
OKC lost 128-131 in 1 overtime. OKC took 9 more shots (106 to 97), fed by 16 offensive rebounds, but shot 42% to MIN's 45%, 15 of 49 from three, and got to the line 29 times to MIN's 39. Gilgeous-Alexander led with 39 (11 of 20, 3 of 5 from three, 14 of 17 at the line); Jal. Williams added 27, Wiggins 19. Q2 was theirs, 32-17, but the other 4 periods went 114-96 against them. They led by as many as 25. Dort's -22 in 29 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/26 @ BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Brooklyn comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 101, shooting 43 percent and 28 from three, 18 free throws a game; C. Johnson at 18 and Watford at 14 a game. Without Thomas (23 straight), Russell (2 straight), Evbuomwan (3 straight). One day's rest. OKC comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 116, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 31 and Jal. Williams at 20 a game. One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, OKC at 38 percent from three to Brooklyn's 28 and the defense, Brooklyn allowing 101 a night to OKC's 116. Call it OKC 111, Brooklyn 108, Brooklyn keeping it close.
2/28 @ ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Atlanta comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 126, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 26 free throws a game; Young at 28 and Daniels at 17 a game. Without Johnson (15 straight), Krejčí (5 straight), Mathews (7 straight). One day's rest. OKC comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 120, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 30 and Jal. Williams at 21 a game. One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 120 a night to Atlanta's 126. Call it OKC 121, Atlanta 117, Atlanta keeping it close.
3/02 @ SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
San Antonio comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 119, shooting 44 percent and 30 from three, 22 free throws a game; Johnson at 19 and Fox at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 14 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 130 a night and allowing 120, shooting 50 percent and 41 from three, 22 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 31 and Jal. Williams at 21 a game. One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where OKC has been minus-1 a night and San Antonio minus-14 and the arc, OKC at 41 percent from three to San Antonio's 30. Call it OKC 120, San Antonio 113.
3/03 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 134 a night and allowing 125, shooting 51 percent and 41 from three, 22 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 33 and Jal. Williams at 26 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Second night of a back-to-back. Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 111, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Green at 26 and Sengun at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the defense, Houston allowing 111 a night to OKC's 125 and the glass, where Houston has been plus-6 a night and OKC minus-0. Call it OKC 119, Houston 113.
2/12 vs MIL 101-103 — MIN notes
MIN lost 101-103. MIN took 15 more shots (103 to 88), fed by 15 offensive rebounds, but shot 38% to MIL's 44%, 10 of 44 from three. The glass went 59-48 for them. Edwards led with 28 (10 of 33, 4 of 17 from three); Reid added 22, Gobert 20. Q2 was theirs, 26-15, the deficit cut from 12 to 1, but the other 3 periods went 88-75 against them. Gobert's -13 in 38 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/13 vs OKC 116-101 — MIN notes
MIN won 116-101. MIN shot 42% (42 of 99) to OKC's 42%, 12 of 46 from three. Reid led with 27 (11 of 18, 3 of 9 from three); Edwards added 23, McDaniels 21. The hinge was Q1, 37-24: from level to 13 ahead, and the lead reached 19. Shannon Jr. was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
2/21 @ HOU 115-121 — MIN notes
MIN lost 115-121. MIN took 8 more shots (92 to 84), but shot 45% to HOU's 50%, 11 of 38 from three, and got to the line 26 times to HOU's 32. MIN turned it over 9 times to HOU's 20. The glass went 35-48 against them. Edwards led with 37 (13 of 32, 4 of 14 from three, 7 of 10 at the line); Reid added 22, McDaniels 21. Q2 was theirs, 29-20, the deficit cut from 10 to 1, but the other 3 periods went 101-86 against them. Alexander-Walker's -13 in 43 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/23 vs OKC 123-130 — MIN notes
MIN lost 123-130. MIN shot 44% (39 of 89) to OKC's 56%, 18 of 45 from three, and went to the line 28 times to OKC's 20 — 27 points from the stripe to their 15. Edwards led with 29 (8 of 21, 4 of 13 from three, 9 of 10 at the line); Reid added 22, Alexander-Walker 18. Q2 was theirs, 40-26, turning a 12-point deficit into a 2-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 104-83 against them. Shannon Jr.'s -22 in 19 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/24 @ OKC 131-128 — MIN notes
MIN won 131-128 in 1 overtime. MIN shot 45% (44 of 97) to OKC's 42%, 9 of 32 from three, and went to the line 39 times to OKC's 29 — 34 points from the stripe to their 23. McDaniels led with 27 (9 of 16, 9 of 9 at the line); Reid added 22, Alexander-Walker 21. The hinge was Q4, 41-19: MIN came in trailing by 22 and left it level. MIN trailed 45-64 at the half and won the second half 86-64. Alexander-Walker was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
2/27 @ LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 106, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 23 free throws a game; James at 27 and Dončić at 20 a game. That is 3 straight wins. They have won the glass by 4 a night. Without Reddish (11 straight), Morris (4 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 117, shooting 43 percent and 29 from three, 26 free throws a game; Edwards at 27 and Reid at 23 a game. Without Randle (11 straight), Gobert (4 straight), DiVincenzo (19 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the defense, the Lakers allowing 106 a night to Minnesota's 117 and the turnovers, the Lakers giving it away 15 times a game to Minnesota's 11. Call it the Lakers 114, Minnesota 110, Minnesota keeping it close.
2/28 @ UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 119, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; George at 19 and Markkanen at 16 a game. Without Markkanen (2 straight), Collins (3 straight), Sexton (10 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 118, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 28 free throws a game; Edwards at 25 and McDaniels at 20 a game. Without Randle (12 straight), Gobert (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Utah wins, and the game turns on the arc, Utah at 37 percent from three to Minnesota's 31 and the turnovers, Utah giving it away 15 times a game to Minnesota's 11. Call it Utah 116, Minnesota 115, Minnesota keeping it close.
3/02 @ PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 125, shooting 52 percent and 42 from three, 20 free throws a game; Booker at 28 and Beal at 26 a game. Without Beal (2 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 121, shooting 44 percent and 34 from three, 27 free throws a game; Edwards at 25 and McDaniels at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Randle (13 straight), Gobert (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the arc, Phoenix at 42 percent from three to Minnesota's 34 and the glass, where Phoenix has been plus-0 a night and Minnesota minus-7. Call it Phoenix 118, Minnesota 117, Minnesota keeping it close.
3/04 vs PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 117, shooting 43 percent and 36 from three, 26 free throws a game; Edwards at 27 and McDaniels at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Gobert (7 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 119, shooting 44 percent and 34 from three, 23 free throws a game; Oubre Jr. at 20 and George at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Okeke (9 straight), Lowry (8 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Minnesota wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Minnesota 118, Philadelphia 109.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
OKCAC A. Caruso
AW A. Wiggins
CW C. Wallace
IH I. Hartenstein
IJ I. Joe
JW J. Williams
JW Jal. Williams
JW Jay. Williams
KW K. Williams
LD L. Dort
SG S. Gilgeous-Alexander
MINAE A. Edwards
JC J. Clark
JI J. Ingles
JM J. McDaniels
LG L. Garza
MC M. Conley
NA N. Alexander-Walker
NR N. Reid
RD R. Dillingham
TS T. Shannon Jr.
OKC/MIN the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
McDaniels scores 27, and Timberwolves rally from 25-point deficit to beat Thunder 131-128 in OT
OKLAHOMA CITY -- — Jaden McDaniels scored 27 points, Anthony Edwards blocked Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 's go-ahead shot attempt and the Minnesota Timberwolves overcame a 25-point deficit in the second half to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 131-128 in overtime on Monday night.
Naz Reid had 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 21 points for the Timberwolves. Edwards had 17 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists for Minnesota, which lost 130-123 to the Thunder on Sunday night.
Gilgeous-Alexander had 39 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, but Edwards blocked him at the rim with 13.2 seconds remaining in overtime. Gilgeous-Alexander also missed a 3-pointer with 2.9 seconds left in the extra period that would have tied the game.
Jalen Williams scored 27 points and Aaron Wiggins added 19 for the Thunder, who still lead the Western Conference at 46-11.
Thunder forward Chet Holmgren , who missed three months with a pelvic fracture before recently returning, rested. Center Isaiah Hartenstein left the game in the second quarter with a bloody nose and did not return.
Oklahoma City led 82-57 in the third quarter and was ahead 102-80 going to the fourth. But reserve Terrence Shannon scored 11 of his 17 points in the period, and the Timberwolves outscored the Thunder 41-19.
Takeaways Timberwolves: Minnesota's rally was mostly without Edwards, who played just 3 1/2 minutes in the fourth quarter. The Timberwolves won without center Rudy Gobert , who was out with lower back spasms.
Thunder: Oklahoma City simply missed a ton of open shots. The looks were there.
Key moment McDaniels scored and was fouled with 11.9 seconds left in regulation. His free throw tied the game at 121, and that was the score heading into overtime.
Key stat Minnesota was the first team in NBA history to win a road game when trailing by at least 20 points entering the fourth quarter against a team with an .800 or better winning percentage, according to OptaStats.
Up next The Timberwolves visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. The Thunder visit the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday.