Naz Reid’s 27 points help lead short-handed Timberwolves past West-leading Thunder 116-101

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Naz Reid led the way with 27 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists as the shorthanded Minnesota Timberwolves secured a 116-101 win over Oklahoma City on Thursday night, snapping the Thunder’s seven-game winning streak. Anthony Edwards chipped in with 23 points, while Jaden McDaniels added 21 points, helping the Timberwolves (31-25) close out the All-Star break with a strong performance against the West-leading Thunder (44-10). Minnesota’s victory was powered by a small-ball strategy, necessitated by the absence of their regular starting frontcourt players.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander paced the Thunder with 24 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds, despite struggling with his shot in the first half, where he went just 2 for 13.

Oklahoma City, fresh off a home win over Miami on Wednesday, had to quickly travel to face Minnesota before the All-Star break. The Thunder were without Chet Holmgren for most of the season due to a broken pelvis, but he made his way back with a solid 11 points and 12 rebounds in 30 minutes.

The Timberwolves, coming off a two-point loss to a short-handed Milwaukee team the night before, faced a tough challenge of their own, missing four of their top eight scorers. However, the young Wolves rose to the occasion, with first-round draft pick Terrence Shannon contributing all 13 of his points in the first half.

Looking ahead, Oklahoma City will enjoy a seven-day break before playing at Utah on February 21. The Timberwolves will visit Houston the same day, and then the two teams will face off on back-to-back nights, first in Minneapolis on February 23 and then in Oklahoma City on February 24.