Watch: Cason Wallace puts exclamation point on dominant opening quarter

The Oklahoma City Thunder locked down the Timberwolves in the first quarter Wednesday night, outscoring their rivals, 26-9, over the first 12 minutes. After splitting two games when Minnesota scored 269 points against the NBA's No. 1 defense, the Thunder locked down to start Wednesday's game.

NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander outscored the Timberwolves by himself, 12-9, in a furious effort that seemed like an attempt to knock out the Wolves before their elimination game had barely begun. Minnesota didn't necessarily even come out flat; it just couldn't handle the defensive pressure from the Thunder, which so often leads to Thunder offense.

Minnesota's defense wasn't even that bad, but its turnovers and missed shots put it in a constant state of defending in transition. That's tough against any team, but especially the Thunder.

It's rare that a dagger three can happen in the first quarter. But after the Thunder ran their lead to 33 points by halftime, 65-32, it appears that Wallace's shot is going to qualify.