NBA: Thunder blow past Timberwolves, extend win streak to eight

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 20 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, to lift the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 116-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Paycom Center on Sunday.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s late surge extended his record streak of 20-point games to 128 consecutive, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain’s previous mark. He set the new record during Thursday’s win over the Boston Celtics.

Chet Holmgren added 21 points, Isaiah Joe contributed 20, Alex Caruso scored 17, and Isiah Hartenstein pulled down 12 rebounds as Oklahoma City extended its winning streak to eight games.

For Minnesota, Julius Randle led with 32 points, while Anthony Edwards scored 19 on 6-of-17 shooting. Ayo Dosunmu added 18 points off the bench. The Timberwolves have now lost four of their last five games after an 8-1 stretch.

Gilgeous-Alexander moved within three points of the record on a pull-up three-pointer that pushed the Thunder lead to 111-96 with 3:17 remaining. Later, with 1:46 left, he drove along the baseline for a fadeaway while being fouled by Edwards. The three-point play gave Oklahoma City a 114-98 lead and sealed the victory.

Despite finishing 7 of 22 (31.8%) from the field, Gilgeous-Alexander went 4 of 6 in the fourth quarter and added 10 assists. The reigning NBA MVP struggled early, going 2 of 9 in the first quarter. The last time he was held under 20 points in a regular-season game was Oct. 30, 2024, with 18 points against the San Antonio Spurs.

Oklahoma City rallied from a nine-point deficit midway through the third quarter, going on a 21-8 run to take an 80-76 lead into the fourth. The team scored nine straight points late in the third, highlighted by a Jaylin Williams three-pointer off a feed from Gilgeous-Alexander, who recorded five assists in the quarter.

With Gilgeous-Alexander resting at the start of the fourth, the Thunder opened the period on a 17-8 run, aided by two three-pointers from Jared McCain, and secured the win.

—Field Level Media/Reuters