NBA: Thunder top Timberwolves for 12th straight win

Dec 31, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives around Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) during the second half of an NBA game at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to their 12th consecutive regular-season victory, a 113-105 decision over the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA on Tuesday.

The streak is the Thunder’s longest since early in the 2012-13 season and ties the longest run since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City. The club’s all-time mark is a 14-game streak by the 1995-96 Seattle SuperSonics.

"I feel like I'm flowing… I'm just hooping."

Shai is averaging 36.6 PPG over his last 5 and OKC has won 12 straight 🔥 pic.twitter.com/yQ3HmiMeLb

— NBA (@NBA) January 1, 2025

READ: NBA: Thunder rout Grizzlies, run streak to 11

After a slow start, Isaiah Hartenstein finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds for Oklahoma City. Jalen Williams and Luguentz Dort each had 14 points, with Williams adding seven boards and seven assists.

Anthony Edwards scored 13 of his 20 points in the second quarter for the Timberwolves, whose three-game winning streak was snapped. Naz Reid produced 19 points and eight rebounds, Mike Conley scored 16 points, Julius Randle logged 11 points and six assists and Donte DiVincenzo had 10 points and five assists.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) shoots a three point basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

After trailing by 14 heading into the fourth, the Timberwolves twice cut the deficit to three in the final 3:14, but Oklahoma City responded both times.

The latter came with just less than two minutes remaining when Williams flung the ball from under the basket to Gilgeous-Alexander near the top of the key for a 3-pointer to give the Thunder a 109-103 lead with 1:48 to go.

READ: NBA: Thunder sign Alex Caruso to multi-year extension

It was Gilgeous-Alexander’s fourth 40-point game of the season. Three of those outings have come during Oklahoma City’s current winning streak.

As the clock ticked down in what had already been a dominant third quarter for the Thunder, Gilgeous-Alexander drove to the bucket, scooping the ball to the rim where it hung for a moment or two before falling through as the home crowd erupted.

It was Gilgeous-Alexander’s seventh field goal of the quarter, giving him 19 points in the frame.

The Timberwolves turned the ball over 11 times in the third, leading to 20 of Oklahoma City’s 43 points in the quarter.

The Thunder finished with 31 points off Minnesota’s season-high 24 turnovers. Oklahoma City gave the ball away 12 times, leading to eight points.

For much of the first half, the Timberwolves set the tone on defense, making it difficult for Oklahoma City to consistently get to the basket as the Thunder shot 39.6 percent from the field before the break.

Minnesota led 52-46 at halftime, but a 43-23 advantage for Oklahoma City in the third quarter turned the game around. –Field Level Media