Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered an impressive performance on Wednesday night, scoring 40 points despite dealing with an illness, as the Thunder defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 113-105 in an NBA Cup group-stage matchup. His scoring effort — built on efficient shooting and relentless drives to the basket — helped Oklahoma City extend its winning streak to 10 games and continue one of the strongest season starts in NBA history.
Gilgeous-Alexander came into the night listed as questionable because of his illness, but once the game began, he looked fully in control. He made 12 of his 19 shots from the field and knocked down 15 of his 17 free-throw attempts. His ability to draw fouls and convert at the line carried Oklahoma City during several critical moments. The game also marked another milestone in his career-long scoring consistency: he has now scored at least 20 points in 91 consecutive games. That streak is the third-longest ever in the NBA, trailing only two historic runs by Wilt Chamberlain. If Gilgeous-Alexander scores at least 20 again on Friday against Phoenix, he will tie Chamberlain’s second-longest stretch.
Oklahoma City now stands at 18-1 for the season, becoming just the fifth team in league history to open a year with such a dominant record. The win also moved the Thunder to 4-0 in West Group A of the NBA Cup, placing them in a strong position to qualify for the knockout round of the tournament.
Minnesota, meanwhile, came into the game hoping to snap a rough stretch, but despite a determined effort from Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves fell short. Edwards scored 31 points and grabbed eight rebounds, repeatedly hitting challenging, tightly contested shots to keep Minnesota close. However, the Timberwolves struggled mightily at the free-throw line, making only 22 of their 37 attempts, a weakness that ultimately cost them valuable points in a tight contest.
The game had extra meaning because it was a rematch of last season’s Western Conference finals, where the Thunder beat Minnesota in five games. Memories of that series were still fresh for both teams, especially for the Timberwolves, who lost by 30 points the last time they visited Oklahoma City. This time, Minnesota fought harder and stayed competitive for most of the night.
The Thunder opened the game strong, ending the first quarter with a 24-17 lead. Minnesota’s 17 points were their second-lowest scoring output in any quarter this season. Gilgeous-Alexander’s steady play continued into the second quarter, helping Oklahoma City reach halftime with a 49-39 advantage after he scored 19 points in the opening half.
Minnesota responded in the third quarter with energy and defensive pressure, managing to tie the game twice — first at 54 and later at 56 — as the momentum briefly shifted in their favor. But Oklahoma City regained control before the period ended, rebuilding the lead to 78-71 heading into the fourth quarter.
In the final minutes, the Timberwolves kept pushing. A contested three-pointer by Edwards in the final minute cut the Thunder’s lead to just one point, raising the tension in the arena. But with 38 seconds left, Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren delivered a crucial shot from the corner, knocking down a three-pointer that gave Oklahoma City a four-point cushion. The Thunder closed the game confidently, outscoring Minnesota 8-1 in the final 60 seconds.
The victory highlighted Oklahoma City’s growing maturity and resilience, even when facing a hungry opponent and dealing with roster challenges. It also reinforced Gilgeous-Alexander’s status as one of the league’s most dependable and dynamic scorers, especially on a night when he wasn’t feeling his best.
