Precocious Thunder face Timberwolves looking for play-in sweep
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[April 14, 2023]
The Oklahoma City Thunder's rebuilding process is on the
verge of getting a swift upward boost.
The Thunder are one victory away from receiving an invitation to the
NBA playoffs when they battle the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday
night in Minneapolis.
Oklahoma City is in position to reach the playoffs after recording a
123-118 win over the host New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. The
Timberwolves are in the loser-goes-home contest after falling
108-102 in overtime to the host Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.
Minnesota has been caught up in a circus-type environment since Rudy
Gobert punched teammate Kyle Anderson during a timeout in last
Sunday's regular-season finale against New Orleans.
Gobert was suspended for the loss to the Lakers but is now in
jeopardy of missing Friday's game due to back spasms. Timberwolves
coach Chris Finch termed Gobert as "uncertain" when he met with
reporters on Thursday.
Gobert said the back issues were so intense that he would have
missed the game against the Lakers if he hadn't been suspended.
He also said he had mended fences with Anderson, who had a stellar
all-around game against Los Angeles with 12 points, 13 assists, five
rebounds, four steals and four blocked shots.
"I still love Kyle. He's still my brother," Gobert said. "I tell
people, sometimes you fight with your family. Sometimes you fight
with people that you have a lot of love and respect for. It's life."
While it is no surprise that Minnesota is alive for a spot, the
Thunder weren't supposed to be playing any games after the
conclusion of the regular season.
Oklahoma City was a combined 46-108 over the previous two seasons
and was projected to be one of the worst teams in the league this
season. That seemed even more like a formality when No. 2 overall
pick Chet Holmgren sustained a season-ending foot injury prior to
the season.
Instead, the club that owns 15 first-round picks over the next five
seasons is well ahead of schedule. And the Thunder looked like a
veteran club while outplaying the Pelicans down the stretch.
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"We've been battle-tested," Oklahoma City star Shai
Gilgeous-Alexander said. "We've played a lot of close games all
year. For the past couple years, even when the seasons weren't going
our way, we played in a lot of close games. We have good habits and
know what will get it done down the stretch."
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 25 of his game-high 32
points in the second half. He tallied eight in the final 1:40,
including the shot that put the Thunder ahead to stay with 28.3
seconds remaining.
Josh Giddey added 31 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds and Lu
Dort scored 27 points for Oklahoma City, which is looking for a
victory that would put them against the top-seeded Denver Nuggets in
the first round.
"We know they are a talented team with a lot of guys who can make
things happen," Giddey said of Minnesota. "It's going to be another
test."
The Timberwolves are trying to make the playoffs for the second
straight season after missing in 16 of the previous 17 campaigns.
Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 24 points, 11 rebounds and five assists
against the Lakers, but was largely ineffective after picking up his
fifth foul.
"He was in a heck of a rhythm until they whistled him to the
bench," Finch said. "That was tough."
Mike Conley made six 3-pointers while scoring 23 points for the
Timberwolves, but Anthony Edwards had just nine points on 3-of-17
shooting for Minnesota, which blew a 15-point third-quarter lead.
"We expected to win this game," Conley said. "It's disappointing to
lose. We had a lead and let it slip. ... We've just got to be
mentally and physically more engaged at the end."
The Timberwolves went 3-1 against the Thunder this season; Oklahoma
City's win came on Dec. 3 in Minneapolis.
--Field Level Media
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