Minnesota suffers 3rd straight defeat, Rudy Gobert held to 5 points against unstoppable Thunder
Rudy Gobert (7’1″, 33 years old) posted 5 points (1/3 shooting), 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks in 32 minutes, but the Timberwolves never fully found their rhythm.
After OKC’s impressive streak, a look back at an evening where Gobert couldn’t turn the tide.
Minnesota dominated early, Gobert overwhelmed by OKC’s intensity
After a first quarter ending with just 17 points – their second-worst total of the season – the Timberwolves quickly felt the tide turning. The Thunder, undefeated at home this season (9-0), imposed a physical intensity and offensive precision that Minnesota never really managed to contain.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (6’6″, 27 years old), initially quiet, eventually ignited the game to finish with 40 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. The Canadian, listed as sick before the game, repeatedly attacked the gaps and got to the free throw line (« I felt good enough to play, so I played, » he explained).
For his part, Rudy Gobert delivered a complete defensive performance, but saw his team lose too many points at the line: Minnesota finished 22/37 on free throws.
Anthony Edwards reignites the flame, but not enough
Long contained by OKC’s defense, Anthony Edwards (6’4″, 24 years old) had to wait until the final quarter to truly find his light. The Team USA scorer netted 14 of his 31 points in the final 12 minutes, with some spectacular plays that briefly brought the Wolves within 1.
But the end of the game went the Thunder’s way thanks to two decisive sequences:
- a 3-pointer by Chet Holmgren, from the corner, with 38 seconds remaining, when Gobert was drawn away on defensive help,
- then several free throws converted by Gilgeous-Alexander.
Holmgren, previously struggling, admitted in The Oklahoman that he simply tried « to stay in the game » and benefited from his coach’s confidence to finish. « It helped us win, and that’s all that matters, » he summarized.
What a pass from Lu Dort
What a shot from Chet pic.twitter.com/433vSnwmpA
— 𝐦𝐐𝐏𝐆 🌩 (@Three_Cone) November 27, 2025
Gobert solid but powerless in crunch time
While he again protected the rim (3 blocks), Gobert couldn’t reverse the momentum of a Thunder team in full confidence (10 straight wins). Minnesota had opportunities to take the lead, but two missed free throws by the Frenchman – shooting 48.6% from the line this season – late in the game weighed heavily before Holmgren’s crucial shot.
Dort, Holmgren, Hartenstein and even Ajay Mitchell all contributed to a Thunder team now 18-1, one of the best season starts in NBA history.
For Minnesota, this third straight loss highlights current limitations, between poor shooting, offensive inconsistency and difficulties imposing the defensive rhythm characteristic of their best period. Joan Beringer didn’t play for the Wolves, nor did his compatriot Ousmane Dieng for the Thunder.
A historic Thunder, Wolves in question
OKC becomes the fifth team in history to start a season 18-1, while sitting atop Group A of the NBA Cup (3-0).
Minnesota (10 wins and 8 losses), looking to stop their three-game losing streak, will need to respond quickly to avoid sinking into a negative spiral. Rudy Gobert continues to contribute daily, but like the entire team awaits a more cohesive collective performance to finally get the machine going again.
Commentaires