Anthony Edwards delivered one of the most memorable moments of his career on Monday night, as his game-winning block helped the Minnesota Timberwolves complete a stunning comeback against the Oklahoma City Thunder, winning 131-128 after overtime.
Trailing by as many as 25 points during the game, the Timberwolves managed to rally, outscoring the Thunder 41-19 in the fourth quarter. This remarkable turnaround led to overtime, where Edwards sealed the victory with clutch defense.
With just under 20 seconds remaining and the Timberwolves holding onto a slim 129-128 lead, the Thunder's star player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, found himself driving to the basket. Gilgeous-Alexander, who had been on fire throughout the game, scoring 39 points, attempted to lay the ball up, but Edwards had other plans. He perfectly timed his jump, leaping to block the shot, which was met with overwhelming cheers from Timberwolves fans.
The ball landed safely with the Timberwolves rather than the Thunder, forcing Oklahoma City to foul as the clock wound down. This strategic foul resulted in two successful free throws from Nickeil Alexander-Walker, bringing Minnesota's lead to three points. Gilgeous-Alexander, unable to force the game to go another five minutes, missed the tying three-pointer as time expired, securing the Timberwolves' victory.
Despite not having the best shooting statistics, with Edwards finishing the contest with 17 points on 5-of-15 shooting alongside 13 rebounds and eight assists, he showcased how important defense can be at pivotal moments. Edwards later encapsulated the intensity of the moment when he shouted, "Superman with the block!" as he left the court, proudly signaling his excitement and relief.
Jaden McDaniels was instrumental to the Timberwolves' success, contributing 27 points and 11 rebounds. Naz Reid also lent significant support, scoring 22 points and grabbing 11 boards. The team's performance was particularly impressive considering they were without their usual starting center, Rudy Gobert, who was sidelined with lower back spasms.
The game was played at Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center, where the Thunder had built significant momentum leading up to the fourth quarter. At one point, it looked like the Timberwolves would be unable to make any headway. Going to the fourth quarter, the Thunder led 102-80. The comeback began when the Timberwolves refused to yield, starting with Jaden McDaniels driving to the basket for two consecutive layups, igniting his teammates and the crowd. The Timberwolves orchestrated a ferocious run marked by both offensive fire and defensive tenacity.
Edwards' defensive prowess was on full display during the final tense seconds of the match. Oklahoma City's Gilgeous-Alexander had been the player of the night, but on this occasion, he was met with Edwards's imposing presence at the rim. Fans reacted with enthusiastic praise on social media, with comments streaming in, such as, "Block of the Year," and, "That’s a personal block. Sheesh!" Clearly, the Timberwolves' defense was galvanized by Edwards' performance.
The outcome allowed the Timberwolves to solidify their position within the playoff hunt, propelling them to the No. 7 seed as they look to make their mark on this season. The victory evened the season series against the Thunder, with both teams now having two wins against each other, raising the stakes for any potential playoff matchup down the road.
Minnesota's audacious comeback, fueled by the electric play of Edwards and his teammates, reminds fans of the unpredictability and drama inherent within the NBA. Looking ahead, they'll expect the same grit and determination when they face off against the Los Angeles Lakers. Meanwhile, the Thunder, who remain atop the Western Conference with their impressive 46-11 record, will need to regroup before their next contest against the Brooklyn Nets.
The basketball world eagerly awaits if the Timberwolves can maintain this momentum or if the Thunder will bounce back to assert their dominance as playoff contenders.