OKC Thunder Ranked #13 on Google Trends: Must-See Highlights, Standings Shake-Up & Hot Trade Rumors

Oklahoma City’s young core just absorbed its hardest lesson of the postseason. The Thunder were routed 143-101 by the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals, trimming OKC’s series lead to 2-1 and handing the franchise its largest playoff defeat ever. Key takeaways • Historic drubbing: The 42-point margin surpassed the club’s previous worst postseason loss of 35 points (2014) and marked the Wolves’ second-biggest playoff win on record. • Shai slowed: Minnesota blitzed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with length, holding the MVP finalist to 19 points on 5-for-16 shooting, his lowest scoring night of the 2025 playoffs. • Paint problems: The Wolves attacked rookie Chet Holmgren at the rim, winning points-in-the-paint 72-40. Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert combined for 49 points and 29 rebounds. • Momentum swing: Since 2010, teams that win Game 3 after trailing 0-2 have forced a Game 6 82 % of the time—putting pressure squarely on this ultra-young Thunder roster. What went wrong for OKC? 1. Rebounding deficit (-18) gave Minnesota 17 second-chance points. 2. Perimeter defense lost Timberwolves shooters—Minnesota hit a franchise playoff-record 23 threes. 3. Turnovers snowballed; 11 of OKC’s 17 miscues came in the decisive second quarter (45-25 MIN). Adjustment checklist for Coach Mark Daigneault • Re-establish pace: When Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams push off makes or misses, OKC’s offensive rating jumps 9.4 points per 100 possessions. • Diversify SGA’s touches: Expect more off-ball actions (Iverson cuts, Spain pick-and-roll) to loosen Jaden McDaniels’ ball denial. • Lean on small-ball: Kenrich Williams at the five held the Wolves to 0.94 PPP in Games 1-2; that lineup saw only four possessions in Game 3. Game 4 essentials Date: Monday, May 26 Tip-off: 8:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. CT Venue: Target Center, Minneapolis TV: ABC, ESPN+ (stream) Streaming alternatives: FuboTV, Sling Orange, YouTube TV free trials often include ABC in Oklahoma City and Minneapolis DMAs. Projected Thunder lineup PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander SG Josh Giddey SF Jalen Williams PF Chet Holmgren C Jaylin Williams Injury report: Luguentz Dort (left knee soreness) and Isaiah Joe (ankle) are listed as probable; no Wolves starters on the injury list as of Sunday morning. Why Game 4 matters • A Thunder win restores a commanding 3-1 cushion with Game 5 back in OKC. • A loss turns the series into a best-of-three with Minnesota holding momentum and home-court stolen. • Historically, teams leading 2-1 but dropping Game 4 go on to lose the series 58 % of the time since 2000. How Thunder fans can ride the wave • Visit Scissortail Park’s official watch-party—free entry, live DJ, food trucks begin 6 p.m. CT. • Rep the rally gear: The team shop’s “Bricktown’s Back” Western Finals tee restocks at noon Monday. • Social hashtags: #ThunderUp, #OKCvMIN, and the viral “#BricktownBoys” chant dominate X and TikTok trends this weekend. Bottom line The Thunder have thrived all season by learning quickly—no team owned a better record in games following a loss (22-5). If Gilgeous-Alexander resets, Holmgren responds with rim protection, and the role players rediscover their three-point touch, OKC can still regain control. If not, a once-rosy path to the NBA Finals could evaporate faster than a prairie storm. Monday night will reveal whether this precocious squad is ready to turn pain into progress—or cede the narrative to the howling Wolves in front of a raucous Minneapolis crowd.