Thunder loan wolves' 'physicality' in blowout loss in game 3

Minneapolis -as tormented as the most one -sided playoff loss in the franchise story for the Oklahoma City Thunder, it was pretty easy to explain.

After the thunder won the first two games of the Western Conference final, the thunder in the defeat of game 3 on Saturday were physically dominated against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“It is not complicated,” Power Forward/Center Chet Holmgren. “Wherever they wanted to go there. They did what they wanted. We didn't stop them.”

Oklahoma City had a similarly bad start after taking a 2-0 lead against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round, but the thunder gathered from a 29-point deficit to win this game 3 on the way to a serial Sweep. Oklahoma City never achieved a serious comeback bid in the first quarter against Minnesota.

“You kept your foot on the gasoline tonight, and we just could never follow ourselves in the game,” said Thunder coach Mark Daigneult. “I thought your defender and your physicality definitely noticed early. You definitely took the first blow into play.”

The newly crowned MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the Oklahoma City starter finally left the game with minutes in the third quarter. Gilgeous-Alexander only finished 14 points. This fit the Rookie Reserve Guard Ajay Mitchell for the High, but it was the lowest total number of Gilgeous-Alexander this season, in the regular season or in the playoffs.

Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored an average of 34.5 points in the first two games of the series, ended 4 out of 13 with four sales. He only tried four free throws after winning a total of 29 in the two home winners of the Thunder over the Timberwolves.

“We were more aggressive everywhere,” said Minnesota coach Chris Finch. “We were a little cleaner around him. We did not do our competitiveness at an all -time high. He is a phenomenal player. He won't have too many nights like this. So we are lucky that we will develop for Monday.”

The five starters of Oklahoma City only scored 49 points at the 15-of-39 shooting and were exceeded by the Timberwolves stars Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle, which were summarized for 54 points during 21-of-32 shooting.

“We took most of the game out of the net so that they can come back and set their defense,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “And I don't care who you were in the NBA – it is difficult to score against a good defense when you are set. In the last two games it was not that. We are able to get and run stops and run. If you take the ball out of the net every time, it is difficult to be regardless of it.”

It was an unusually terrible performance for the highest defense of the Thunder, which made it possible for the Timberwolven to shoot 57.3% from the ground and 50.0% from the 3-point range. Oklahoma City only forced 10 sales, which very few in this post -season.

“You will be beaten, you get up again,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “It's about answering and that is the next challenge. We were hit in our mouth this evening. Next game will either get up or not [and] We will lose the game. We have to make a decision. “

Dave McMenamin from ESPN contributed to this report.