The Paycom Center crowd went ballistic once the ball fell through the rim, and the OKC Thunder's bench was equally ecstatic.
Ironically, the least animated person was the one who hit the shot. That was Chet Holmgren, who simply looked relieved once he sank the big-time bucket. A corner 3-pointer in the closing seconds of OKC's 113-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in NBA Cup group play Wednesday.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe simply pumped his fist calmly while surrounded by chaos.
On a night when he struggled to get his shots to fall down, Holmgren did so when it mattered most. He finished with 12 points, nine rebounds and one block in 29 minutes.
OKC is 18-1 this season, becoming just the fifth team in NBA history to reach that record. It’s also 3-0 in NBA Cup group play.
Here are three takeaways from the win:
NBA power rankings: Who is OKC Thunder's biggest threat after first month?
Order new book on Thunder's run to NBA title
Anthony Edwards hit a roadblock for three quarters
Anthony Edwards clamped both hands down on the basketball for a defensive board, and the sound of his sneakers screeching could be heard as he broke into a full sprint up the floor.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt's the metaphorical revving of the engine for the superstar guard, who blends speed and power in a Ferrari-like fashion. But when Edwards reached OKC's 3-point line, he drove directly into a roadblock. A brick wall by the name of Cason Wallace, who didn't budge from the collision.
Edwards, however, went crashing to the floor. And while he managed to maintain his dribble, he quickly passed the ball so someone else could take the wheel.
Edwards found himself in a traffic jam for the first three quarters. He constantly faced pesky perimeter defenders and congested driving lanes, which often forced him to give up the rock.
OKC held Edwards to 17 points on 4-for-12 shooting from the field (2 for 6 from deep) until the fourth quarter tipped off. He then erupted for 14 points to help Minnesota make it a close game down the stretch.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMore: How OKC Thunder rookie Thomas Sorber became 'one of the guys' despite ACL injury
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) puts up a shot beside Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) and guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (1) during an NBA Cup group play basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is also highly combustible
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, capable of catching fire in an instant, was waiting to strike. All he needed was a good match.
That proved to be a one-one-one matchup with Julius Randle late in the second quarter. The reigning MVP created space with a hesitation move, followed by a stepback. Then he released a 17-foot jumper that was money.
Gilgeous-Alexander only had six points to his name in 15 minutes of action before that bucket, but it was all he needed to see to catch fire. He scored 13 points in the final three minutes and 37 seconds of the half.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMuch like Edwards, Gilgeous-Alexander is also one of the most combustible scorers in the NBA. Despite being constantly smothered, he'll torch a defense as soon as he receives the slightest bit of air space.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 40 points, six rebounds and six assists in 37 minutes.
More: Why Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein always looks to 'give back' to OKC
OKC survived, maintained first place in NBA Cup group play
OKC is now 3-0 in NBA Cup group play following its win over Minnesota (2-2). It holds first place in Group A of the Western Conference.
Phoenix (2-0) is also undefeated entering its road game against Sacramento (0-2) at 9 p.m. Wednesday, but OKC holds the tie-breaker due to point differential. The Thunder is plus-63 in that department, while the Suns are plus-23.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOKC and Phoenix will conclude NBA Cup group play with a game in Oklahoma City at 8:30 p.m. Friday. The top team from each of the six groups will advance to a knockout round in addition to one wild card team from each conference.
More: How many 2026 NBA Draft picks will Sam Presti, OKC Thunder have?
Tip-ins
Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 20 points in 91 consecutive regular-season games, which is the third-longest streak in NBA history. He trails Wilt Chamberlain, who had two streaks of 126 games and 92 games.
Aaron Wiggins missed his 10th straight game due to a left adductor strain. OKC also continued to be without Thomas Sorber, Nikola Topić, Jalen Williams.
Kenrich Williams made his season debut after being sidelined with a knee injury. He recorded four rebounds and one assist in 13 minutes off the bench.
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJalen Williams injury update: OKC Thunder star 'doing a great job' with wrist recovery
Thunder vs. Suns
TIPOFF: 8:30 p.m. Friday at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City (FanDuel Sports Network)
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: SGA scores 40 as Thunder fends off Timberwolves in NBA Cup group play
AdvertisementAdvertisement
