T-wolves stun Thunder

In the highly competitive West, momentum is often more valuable than health. For the Timberwolves, however, both converged in a chaotic, statement-making 112-107 victory over the Thunder the other day. The development coincided with the return of Anthony Edwards, who reclaimed center stage after a three-game absence due to a sore right foot. In posting 26, 11, three, three, and two, he provided the pressure and late-game poise that the blue and gray desperately lacked during his stint on the sidelines.

To be sure, the stat line told only half the story. The set-to against the league-leading Thunder starring reigning Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was defined by grit, a bit of “Minnesota Nice” gone sour, and a head coach who decided he had seen enough. Indeed, Chris Finch provided the spark following his ejection midway through the first quarter. Fed up with what he deemed to be egregious non-calls, he had a classic “get your money’s worth” moment as he lashed out at officials while being restrained by assistants.

The ouster could have unraveled the Timberwolves. Instead, as Finch hoped, it galvanized them into putting the sideline heat to productive use. They locked in and handed the Thunder, proud owners of arguably the league’s most clinical offense, a rare loss. Gilgeous-Alexander was his usual surgical self, finishing with 35, five, seven, two, and two, but those around him struggled to provide support. If nothing else, the setback exposed a crack in the otherwise-impenetrable armor. For all their versatility and brilliance, they can be outmuscled by determined competition.

For the Timberwolves, it was a statement triumph; they proved they could weather the storm of a hostile whistle and finish a fight without their chief bench tactician. True, they remain sixth in the jam-packed conference. On the other hand, there can be no denying the message they sent: They can stand toe to toe with the best of the best.

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.