Three Stars
The three stars in ice hockey are the three best players in a game, with the “first star” considered the best of the three players, similar to the player of the match in other sports. Here are my “three stars” from yesterday’s NBA games.
First ⭐️
Anthony Edwards scored a game-high 30 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves destroyed the Oklahoma City Thunder 143-101 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, cutting the Thunder’s series lead to 2-1. Edwards also recorded game highs of nine rebounds, six assists (tied with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander), and two steals (tied with Rudy Gobert) in 30 minutes played. He shot 12-17 from the field, hitting five of his eight 3-point attempts.
Second ⭐️
Julius Randle scored 24 points in the Timberwolves’ rout of the Thunder. Randle went 9-15 from the floor (2-5 on threes) and 4-4 from the charity stripe. He also contributed four rebounds and three assists, posting a game-best rating of plus-38 points in 30 turnover-free minutes.
Third ⭐️
Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 15 points in just 13 minutes of action as the Timberwolves demolished the Thunder. Shannon Jr. shot 5-8 from the field and sank all four of his free throw attempts. He also swiped one steal and did not commit a turnover.
Milestones
The Minnesota Timberwolves set franchise records for most field goals made (55) and most points scored (143) in a playoff game. They also tied the franchise record for most field goals attempted in a playoff game (96).
The Timberwolves’ 42-point margin of victory is the fourth-largest such figure in a conference finals games. The record margin of 56 points was set April 21, 1973, when the Los Angeles Lakers pounded the Golden State Warriors 126-70 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.
Streaking
Edwards has scored at least 15 points in 40 straight playoff games, the longest such streak in Minnesota Timberwolves history. He’s one of only four players in NBA history to start his postseason career with 40 such games in a row, the others being Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and Karl Malone.
Miscellany
Edwards was the night’s leading scorer, netting 30 points. He was followed by Randle with 24 points and rookie Shannon Jr. with 15.
Edwards was also the top board man last night, collecting nine rebounds. Teammates Naz Reid (eight boards) and Rudy Gobert (seven) ranked second and third, respectively.
Edwards and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shared the nightly lead in assists with six apiece. The Timberwolves’ Rob Dillingham and Jaden McDaniels were next in line with four dimes each.
Edwards now has 15 career 30-point games in the playoffs, equaling the total of all other players in Minnesota Timberwolves history combined.