Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 'urgency' take sums up loss vs. Timberwolves

MINNEAPOLIS — For Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, having a way of urgency from begin to end goes a good distance within the postseason, particularly in opposition to a Minnesota Timberwolves workforce dealing with a 2-0 deficit within the Western Convention Finals. After Timberwolves followers disrupted Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault throughout his postgame press convention, Gilgeous-Alexander delivered the tough fact about Sport 3’s 143-101 blowout loss.

Gilgeous-Alexander bluntly recapped a 41-point Thunder beating, pulling no punches on what went fallacious in Oklahoma Metropolis’s worst postseason loss.

“To sum it up: we simply didn’t have it. They clearly had it with the sense of urgency, understanding in the event that they go down 3-0 it’s gonna be fairly robust,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned. “However it felt they eased into the sport they usually did not, they usually blitzed us fairly early. And we have been by no means in a position to get again due to it. They simply got here out with a way of urgency and we did not. On prime of that, after we play a very good workforce, it seems to be like that. So, we gotta begin and are available out with a way of urgency.”

With the potential of trailing the Thunder 3-0 within the Western Convention Finals, the Timberwolves obtained out to a quick begin from the leap, grabbing a 34-14 lead after the opening body. Then, Minnesota outscored its opponent 38-27 within the following body earlier than finally grabbing a 45-point benefit within the second half.

All-Star Anthony Edwards’ 30 factors led seven Timberwolves gamers in double figures, together with Julius Randle, who completed with 24 factors, and Terrence Shannon Jr.’s 15 factors led the Timberwolves’ second unit.

Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander completed with 14 factors, but it surely took him 13 makes an attempt (4-of-13). He additionally solely completed 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 11.0 free-throw makes an attempt all through the Western Convention Finals. Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams had a quiet evening, scoring 13 factors on 3-of-9 capturing, 4 rebounds, and two assists.

Mark Daigneault’s Thunder presser interrupted by followers

Because the Timberwolves’ lead ballooned all through the primary half, Thunder followers have been beside themselves in horror, and it by no means improved. Then, Timberwolves followers howled at Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault.

Nonetheless, Daigneault powered by way of to get his level throughout on what went awry in Sport 3’s loss.

“We generated loads of rhythm within the different video games than we did tonight, and I assumed that impacted our rhythm getting into these photographs,” Daigneault mentioned. “A few of that was them. I assumed they did an excellent job offensively and defensively, particularly from the leap.”

The Thunder will look to bounce again in Sport 4 on Monday.