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Randle was reliable in Game 3

Randle was reliable in Game 3

New York Times25-05-2025

Anthony Edwards powered Minnesota to its highest-scoring playoff game ever as the Timberwolves cruised to a 143-101 victory over Oklahoma City Getty Images
After struggling in Game 2, Julius Randle responded with a poised performance tonight.
He got to his spots consistently and confidently, scoring 24 points on 9-15 shooting and finished as a team-high +38. Getty Images
With Minnesota trailing the Western Conference Finals 2-0 entering Game 3, Anthony Edwards set the tone for a dominant Wolves win. He scored 30 points on an uber-efficient 12-17 shooting, including 5-8 from deep.
He also grabbed nine boards and dropped six dimes to help Minnesota defend home court.
Tyler N: I thought the Wolves were dead in this series?
Johnny M: Terrance Shannon looks like Michael Jordan out there.
Barry: This is so bad, it should count for two wins.
Ash Z: This game is cathartic AF. Thanks, Wolves! Your fan base needed it! Imagn Images
Final - Wolves 143, Thunder 101
Well, that was certainly a response from the Minnesota Timberwolves, dominating the Oklahoma City Thunder at home for an impressive win in Game 3. Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle combined for 54 points while Terrence Shannon Jr. provided a spark off the bench, scoring 15 points.
Game 4 will be Monday night at 8:30 p.m. ET.
We've reached the "We want (Joe) Ingles!" part of the evening, with the fans here getting greedy with their latest chant. As if a blowout win over Oklahoma City wasn't enough... Getty Images
We still have a ways to go until we reach the most lopsided margin of victory in playoff history. That's 58 points, which has happened twice: 1956: Minneapolis Lakers 133, St. Louis Hawks 75
2009: Denver Nuggets 121, New Orleans Hornets 69
This would only be the third-biggest blowout of this season's playoffs if the margin held at 44. The Cavaliers beat Miami by 55 points in Game 4 of their first-round series, while Oklahoma City thumped Memphis by 51 in its playoff opener.
With six minutes left to play in Game 3, the Timberwolves have scored their most points in a game so far this postseason.
Both benches have cleared with 7:41 remaining in this one.
The Thunder have some adjusting to do for Game 4. The first thing is they need to up their level of physicality. It seems surreal to have to say that about THIS Thunder team but on Saturday night, Oklahoma City got punked by the Minnesota Timberwolves. That can't happen again this series.
Q4 7:41- Wolves 120, Thunder 78
Terrence Shannon Jr. continues to impress in Game 3, hitting a tough layup in the paint plus the foul.
He now has 15 points, which is more than any player on the Thunder.
Through three quarters, Minnesota made more shots outside the paint (21-of-39) than inside the paint (19-of-32).
For comparison, the Thunder made only 10-of-36 shots outside the paint.
Game 3, 2016 Western Conference Finals: Thunder led Warriors by 37 points through three quarters. Oklahoma City went on to take a 3-1 series lead, then lose in 7.
Timberwolves won't have a 3-1 lead to worry about, but they're up 37 through three quarters. Have to treat each game as it's own link in the chain.
End Q3 - Wolves 107, Thunder 70
Two buckets by Kenrich Williams puts a bow on the third quarter with Oklahoma City trailing by 37 points. Imagn Images
Thunder leave Lu Dort and Isaiah Hartenstein in to guard Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert, but all three of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren are off the floor. Should be for good.
The Thunder currently have no Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the floor, and no Jalen Williams on the floor. Instead, they have Ajay Mitchell on the floor.
Feels like Mark Daigneault is semi-raising the white flag and looking forward to Monday night's Game 4.
Yeah, we're pretty much done here. No need to recall past comebacks. We can just look back at past blowouts with the lead ballooning to 38 points with only 16:25 left to play. I'd suggest load management for the Thunder with Game 4 Monday night. Getty Images
You saw the Timberwolves' prime adjustment again on that blocked Jalen Williams midrange shot. Rudy Gobert started back, keeping himself on the balls of his feet, then closed that space just as Williams began to accelerate into the midrange area to get the block.
Q3 4:25 - Wolves 94, Thunder 56
Julius Randle hits a step-back 3 and a few possessions later, swishes through a 10-foot jumper prompting Oklahoma City to call timeout as Minnesota's lead balloons to 38 points.
Another strong game for Randle. He's up to 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting. He is a team-high +35.
The Thunder started the second half with an 11-2 run to get somewhat back into the game but the Wolves have responded with 12 straight points.
Q3 6:22 - Wolves 86, Thunder 52
Thunder went on a nice little run to start third quarter and then go right back to stepping on rakes.

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