Anthony Edwards silenced the doubters and set Target Center ablaze, powering the Minnesota Timberwolves to a stunning 143-101 blowout over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.
Coming off two subdued performances and trailing 0-2 in the series, Edwards delivered a first-quarter blitz that turned the tide of the series and perhaps his narrative. He torched the Thunder for 16 points in the opening frame, outscoring the entire OKC squad and finishing with 30 points in just 30 minutes.
With the Wolves up by 37 entering the fourth quarter, Edwards was free to watch from the bench as his teammates kept their foot on the gas. His final line, 12-of-17 shooting, 5-of-8 from three, nine rebounds, six assists, two steals was a masterclass in efficiency and control.
“Just ultimate pressure on the ball and shoot it as much as I can,” Edwards said, reflecting on his mindset after a cold start to the series. He had gone 4-for-17 from deep in Games 1 and 2 but looked every bit the league’s leading three-point shooter again.
This wasn’t just redemption it was a reminder. Edwards now has 15 career 30-point playoff games, trailing only LeBron, Kobe, Durant, and Doncic among players aged 23 or younger.
Coach Chris Finch praised his star’s all-around impact: “He was all over the place. He knew we needed that kind of start from our defense, and he brought it.”
The Wolves followed suit. Their 72-point first half was a franchise playoff record, built on ferocious defense and lights-out shooting, seven players hit multiple threes.
Oklahoma City, meanwhile, crumbled. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, dominant through two games, was held to 14 points on 4-of-13 shooting. The 42-point margin was the worst postseason loss in Thunder history.
“Honestly, it just shows what we’re capable of,” said veteran Mike Conley. “Now the standard’s been set.”
Still, Edwards isn’t getting carried away. “We’re still down,” he said. “It’s just one win… We got to beat this team more than once—and that’s going to be tough.”
