West-leading Thunder outlast Timberwolves 130-123 behind 37 points from Gilgeous-Alexander

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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates after making a three-point shot during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) gestures after making a 3-point shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

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Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) works toward the basket as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

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Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) walks across the court during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

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Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault yells during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) works toward the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (00) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

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Oklahoma City Thunder guards Alex Caruso (9) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrate during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

By DAVE CAMPBELL

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 37 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals to help the West-leading Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 130-123 on Sunday night to open a home-and-home set.

The teams will play again Monday night in Oklahoma City.

Chet Holmgren added 19 points for the Thunder, who shot a season-best 54% (19 for 35) from 3-point range.

Gilgeous-Alexander re-entered the game with eight minutes left and sparked an 18-4 spurt over the next 5:16 after his cousin, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, hit a 3-pointer that put the Timberwolves up 110-105.

Anthony Edwards had 29 points and 10 rebounds for the short-handed Timberwolves (31-27), who wiped out a 19-point deficit in the second quarter before losing for the fourth time in five games.

The Thunder (46-10) have lost only once in the last 25 days, when they fell in Minnesota on Feb. 13. Oklahoma City has a 9 1/2-game lead over Denver and Memphis for the Western Conference lead.

Takeaways

Thunder: Aaron Wiggins and Alex Caruso were vital off the bench. Caruso hit three 3-pointers and had steal to set up a 3-pointer by Gilgeous-Alexander over a 2:47 stretch midway through the fourth quarter.

Timberwolves: Missing the starting frontcourt, Rudy Gobert (back) and Julius Randle (groin), the Timberwolves lost Jaylen Clark in the third quarter when he hit the back of his head on the floor after an off-balance layup. Clark, who made his second career start, was ruled out with neck pain.

Key moment

After the Thunder went up 52-33 by making 19 of their first 27 shots, the Timberwolves had a 25-4 run over a 6:07 stretch. With Holmgren on him at the top of the key, Edwards used a crossover dribble and a slight step-back for his first made 3-pointer of the game with 2:36 left in the second quarter.

Key stat

The Timberwolves missed 11 of their first 12 attempts from 3-point range.

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