Edwards scores 30 as Timberwolves roll past Thunder 116-106

Share

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 30 points, and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-106 on Sunday night.

Edwards made 13 of 19 field goals and had 11 rebounds. He also scored 30 points in his previous game on Friday against Utah.

Minnesota’s two 7-footers were effective. Rudy Gobert had 15 points and 15 rebounds, and Karl-Anthony Towns added 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists. They helped Minnesota outrebound Oklahoma City 54-42.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Ousmane Dieng passes the ball around Minnesota Timberwolves guard D’Angelo Russell (0) in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

Lu Dort scored 20 points and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl added 15 for Oklahoma City, which dropped its home opener and fell to 0-3 for the season. The Thunder made just 9 of 41 3-pointers.

Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sat out with a left hip contusion. He had averaged 30 points in his first two games.

The Timberwolves beat the Thunder 115-108 on Wednesday in the season opener for both teams. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points that night.

In the quick rematch, Edwards scored 18 points in the first half to help Minnesota lead 53-44 at the break. The Timberwolves outrebounded the Thunder 30-15 in the first half.

Oklahoma City trimmed its deficit to 75-70 in the third quarter when Jaden McDaniels was called for a flagrant foul after a review. Oklahoma City’s Mike Muscala made two free throws, then he made a long 2-pointer to cut the Thunder deficit to a point. Minnesota closed the quarter on a 7-0 run to take an 82-74 edge into the fourth.

The Timberwolves opened the fourth quarter on a 24-10 surge to take control for good.

TIP-INS

Timberwolves: F Kyle Anderson missed the game with back spasms. … Made their first six shots, all from inside the 3-point line. … Shot 65.2% in the first quarter to take a 31-18 lead.

Thunder: G Jalen Williams sat out with a right orbital bone fracture. … Made 5 of 23 3-pointers in the first half. … Second-year G Tre Mann got the start and scored 10 points on 5-for-12 shooting. … F Eugene Omoruyi, a two-way player, scored 13 points.

UP NEXT

Timberwolves: Host the San Antonio Spurs on Monday.

Thunder: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday.

___

Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: twitter.com/CliffBruntAP

___

More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports