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OKLAHOMA CITY — The Minnesota Timberwolves just made history, and they did it in the most dramatic way possible. Trailing by as much as 25 points, the Wolves stormed back to pull off a wild 131-128 overtime win against the Oklahoma City Thunder, matching the largest comeback in franchise history: a 25-point rally set way back in 1996 against the Charlotte Hornets.
And what a ride it was.
This was not a game that was handed to Minnesota. They had to earn it. Thunder fans even started heading for the exits, thinking it was over. For three quarters, the Thunder controlled the pace and momentum. But fueled by gritty defense, clutch performances from their young core, and an explosive fourth quarter, Minnesota put together a determined comeback that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
Timberwolves overcome slow start vs. Thunder
Coming off an intense game Sunday night against the Thunder, the Timberwolves immediately boarded a flight to Oklahoma City for the second leg of a back-to-back.
“Two back-to-backs in one week is crazy against good teams,” Naz Reid said Sunday night. “I know I was built for it. I know a lot of guys in here are built for it. We’re not just gonna roll over.”
But early on, it seemed the Wolves were struggling to find their rhythm. The Thunder came out hot, led by the dynamic Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had 39 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists Monday night. Despite a few promising moments, including a three from Nickeil Alexander-Walker and aggressive drives by Terrence Shannon Jr., Minnesota trailed 32-28 after one.
The second quarter was challenging for the Wolves. Isaiah Joe hit several three-pointers and Minnesota had difficulty containing OKC’s fast-paced transition play. By halftime, the Wolves found themselves down 64-45.
The challenges continued into the third, as with 7 minutes left in the quarter, the Thunder extended their lead to 80-55. Minnesota struggled to match OKC’s intensity and execution. Then, something shifted
Alexander-Walker described the mindset: “One possession at a time, didn’t worry about what the result was, just kept chipping away.”
And that’s exactly what they did.
The Comeback & Historic Win
The fourth quarter was where the magic happened. The Wolves, down 22, went all in. Jaden McDaniels, Shannon and Rob Dillingham brought the energy, refusing to back down. McDaniels was relentless, finishing with 27 points and 10 rebounds, while Shannon Jr. put up 17 points and 10 boards of his own. Dillingham added 12 points, five assists and four rebounds, stepping up and being confident.
Minnesota also leaned on Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who matches the team’s intensity with a strong all-around performance. He dropped 21 points, grabbed five rebounds, and handed out three assists, keeping the Wolves within reach when they needed it most.
With a minute left, the Wolves are within five points. Jaden McDaniels is sent to the line, sinking both free throws to make it 118-121. Moments later, he attacks the rim, draws a foul, and completes the and-one to tie the game at 121-121. The Timberwolves have worked their way back.
The 5 minute overtime was a battle. Naz Reid certainly came up huge, knocking down clutch free throws and staying composed, finishing with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists. The Wolves took the lead, but OKC wasn’t done, as it was a back-and-forth game.
Head coach Chris Finch mentioned that Edwards’ leg was bothering him in the fourth quarter, which is why he was sidelined. However, with two minutes left, he was cleared to return.
“Them boys played… I can’t say what they played, but they played their butts off,” Edwards said postgame, grinning.
When the Wolves needed him most, Edwards stepped up. He made a crucial steal and followed it up with a stunning block on Gilgeous-Alexander in the final seconds, sealing the win.
With the clock winding down, OKC had one last chance to tie the game, but the Wolves’ defense stood tall. The final buzzer sounded, and Minnesota completed a 25-point comeback, tying a franchise record set in 1996.
As the Wolves now prepare for Thursday’s matchup against the Lakers, Edwards put it perfectly: “Them boys keep playing like that, man, we gonna be hard to beat.”
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TODAY'S BEST
Expected Date for Golden State Warriors to Sign Four Key Free Agents
The Golden State Warriors have not made a single offseason move to this point. The reasoning for that is they've been in a stalemate with young star forward Jonathan Kuminga. The 22-year-old has yet to sign a contract with the team, which stalled all other negotiations. That, however, could change this next week. Who Could Be Joining The Dubs? "There is a strong expectation leaguewide now that the Warriors will also be signing Seth Curry in addition to the Al Horford, De'Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II trio," shared Marc Stein. "Golden State currently has six roster spots open. It's believed they will be filled by Horford, Melton, Payton, Stephen Curry's younger brother Seth, second-round pick Will Richard and, of course, Kuminga.” That will fill out their roster much better than the nine players they have been sitting on all summer. What The Vetereans Would Bring to Golden State Horford just spent the last four seasons with the Boston Celtics, where he won a championship with them in 2024. Last season, he averaged nine points, six rebounds, and two assists per game while knocking over 36% from beyond the arc. The big man would be able to stretch the floor and help maintain the bench unit's composure when other veterans might be sitting. Melton is much younger at 27 years old and fills the void as a combo guard for the Warriors. He was previously with the team at the beginning of the 2024-25 season, but was traded to the Brooklyn Nets after he went down with a season-ending injury. It was only six games that Melton appeared in, but he averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. Assuming he returns to Golden State, he'll return quality perimeter defense and a solid outside shot. Payton II is loved by the Warrior fan base. His defensive presence, plus overall glue with the entire team, makes him a valuable asset. He is great at guarding the smaller guards and slashing the paint, while he's shown signs of an improved outside shot. Lastly, Seth Curry -- the younger brother of the star Warriors guard -- would provide more outside shooting in a system that plays to his strengths. He averaged 45.6% from the 3-point line last season, and having his older brother around might rejuvenate him in a way other situations might not. This Warriors team could very well be fleshed out by next week, which is important -- considering training camp is just around the corner.
Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman has message for Chris Ash after Purdue game
The defense has been the story of No. 24 Notre Dame through the first three games of the season. First-year defensive coordinator Chris Ash has struggled to pick up where Al Golden left the unit when he bolted for the Cincinnati Bengals after the national championship game. On Saturday, the Irish defense gave up 23 points to Purdue in the first half before Notre Dame ran away in the second half to win their first game of the season 56-30 in front of 77,622 fans at Notre Dame Stadium. Following the contest, Irish head coach Marcus Freeman told the media that Ash needed to do a better job of matching pressure with his coverage scheme. "Marcus Freeman says Notre Dame needs to do a better job of 'marrying up' coverage with pressure from the defensive front," wrote Tyler Horka of On3 Sports. Notre Dame was panicking on defense Freeman added that the defense was panicking when they changed coverage schemes, but couldn't stop Purdue in the first half. Boilermakers quarterback Ryan Browne diced up the zone coverage, much like Marcel Reed did in Texas A M's 41-40 win over the Irish in Week 2. Freeman defended Ash after the loss to the Aggies, saying the defense's execution was more important than the play calling. The head coach had the same message for his players after beating Purdue. "I don't think they're confused," Freeman said of the defense. "We just aren't executing. But it isn't like our guys don't know what they're doing. They know what they're doing." Freshman quarterback CJ Carr and the offense look capable of going undefeated for the rest of the regular season and competing for a spot in the College Football Playoff. But the defense is going to have to get better if they want to play meaningful football in December-January. Notre Dame's defense was a problem in Week 1 in Miami. Even though the Hurricanes were held to 27 points, Miami could have put up more points if quarterback Carson Beck had been allowed to play as aggressively in the fourth quarter as he had earlier in the game. When Ash calls zone, he's going to have to find a way to generate a pass-rush. All three quarterbacks Notre Dame has faced this season have shown an ability to find open spots in the secondary when they have time to throw in the pocket.
Why did the Orioles activate star player during last week of season?
Ahead of the final six games of the season (all against American League East foes), the Baltimore Orioles have activated catcher Adley Rutschman. The move may have little to do with this season and everything about what the Orioles may do with Rutschman in the offseason. Sidelined with a right oblique strain since Aug. 21 (retroactive to Aug. 18), Rutschman has struggled this season, slashing just .227/.310/.373 with nine homers and 29 RBI. His OPS+ of 92 is the lowest in the four years he has been behind the plate in Baltimore. While the Orioles certainly would like to get the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft back behind the plate to finish out the season, this short six-game stint against the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees may also serve as an audition for Rutschman should the Orioles decide to move him in the offseason. Why would the Orioles move on from Rutschman? After playing in just four games, Baltimore signed 21-year-old catcher Samuel Basallo to an eight-year extension worth $67M and could jump up to $88.5M with incentives. The deal means Basallo will be with Baltimore through the 2033 season and has an option to extend that to 2034 as well. With the Orioles investing so much in Basallo, could the 27-year-old Rutschman be on his way out of Charm City? Baltimore could well keep the younger and cost-controlled Basallo behind the plate and use Rutschman as a trade piece this offseason, helping the Orioles rebuild quickly from a season where they will likely finish in the division cellar. With Rutschman coming back, he has the chance to put a positive spin on what has been a disappointing season. If he can show well in the final six games, it could be a great selling point for the Orioles this offseason in any kind of trade talks surrounding him. Orioles are faced with one of two options with Basallo and Rutschman Baltimore interim manager Tony Mansolino has already hinted that Basallo and Rutschman could be in the same lineup together in 2026, emphasizing that Basallo could play first base (a position that could likely be his in 2026 if the Orioles decide to not push Coby Mayo there). Mansolino also added that between first base, catcher and designated hitter, there may be enough at-bats for both Basallo and Rutschman. If that's the case, Baltimore is believing that not only can Basallo play first base at an MLB-level (he has played there in one game so far this season) and Rutschman can bounce back from a down 2025. Baltimore could likely land a nice return package (perhaps centered around pitching) if it decides to trade Rutschman in the offseason, something that MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today believes will happen, writing, "There will be no bigger position player on the trade block this winter than Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman." These next six games may not determine much in the standings for the Orioles, but could give a hint about Rutschman's future and what is to come at catcher in 2026.
Bryson DeChambeau has already made a powerful Ryder Cup enemy
The Ryder Cup doesn't start until Friday, but there's already a nasty feud bubbling between Team USA and Team Europe. Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy, who have had their disagreements in the past, are renewing their rivalry ahead of the team competition at Bethpage Black. At the "Happy Gilmore 2" premiere in July, DeChambeau told People he plans on playing mental games with McIlroy at the Ryder Cup. "I’ll be chirping in [McIlroy’s] ear this time," DeChambeau said. "Now, if we go up against each other, I mean, you can be sure of it." Rory McIlroy takes beef with Bryson DeChambeau to another level McIlroy apparently wasn't a fan of DeChambeau's Ryder Cup plan. In a recent interview with Ewan Murray of The Guardian, the Northern Irishman took the smack talk to another level. "I think the only way he gets attention is by mentioning other people. That is basically what I think of that," McIlroy said. "To get attention, he will mention me or Scottie [Scheffler] or others." McIlroy and DeChambeau have always had a heated rivalry on the golf course, but this feud goes beyond the tee boxes and greens. This time, McIlroy took a direct shot at DeChambeau, the man—not DeChambeau, the golfer. This could get ugly at Bethpage, and McIlroy knows it. "I think it’s inevitable something is going to happen in New York," McIlroy said. "It might not involve me, but it is inevitable that something will happen, whether like in Rome last time or something else." The Rome incident McIlroy referenced was the spat with Patrick Cantlay and his caddie, Joe LaCava. McIlroy and LaCava had a heated argument on the 18th green after a match, and it even spilled over to the parking lot afterward. We likely won't see another argument that inches that close to a physical altercation, but McIlroy's and DeChambeau's comments don't help matters. Get your popcorn ready for a fiery week at Bethpage Black.
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