Shai Gilgeous-Alexander questions OKC’s “plan” after loss to Timberwolves

After a 123-111 defeat by Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder‘s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander he wished his team had a better plan in the rematch of the Western Conference Finals. Gilgeous-Alexander made 5 of 5 free throws attempts, but finished with 30 points on an efficient 12-0f-18 from the floor. However, All-Star Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves led from wall to wall before cruising to a 12-point victory.

Gilgeous-Alexander wished Thunder were better prepared to withstand an early 10-point deficit that eventually grew to a 22-point Timberwolves lead, he said, per Justin Martinez of the Oklahoman .

“We have to feel the first shot for sure, especially against teams of that caliber. We have to play to our standard. Be assertive. Be aggressive. But also, have a plan,” Giljus-Alexander said. “When you play against really good teams, they make you think the game, read and react and have a plan. I think that’s important to be successful, more than just going out there, playing hard and playing together, having a plan to beat them.”

Here’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after OKC’s loss to Minnesota pic.tvitter.com/CUKSeJiIUi0

— Justin Martinez (@Justintohoops) January 30, 2026

The Timberwolves were held to 22 points by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and seven turnovers by the Thunder. Minnesota’s defense also generated looks from the perimeter, where the Timberwolves connected on 22 3-pointers at a 47% clip (22-for-47). Facing the team that eliminated him in last year’s Western Conference finals, Edwards called Thursday’s matchup “personal” during his postgame media availability.

The entire starting lineup of the Timberwolves was in double figures, and Naz Reed led the way on the bench with 18 points and seven rebounds. Chet Holmgren finished with 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting, five rebounds and three blocks for the Thunder, and Cason Wallace led the second unit with 13 points.

Brian Windhorst reports on the possibilities the Thunder are exploring at center

While it was a historic season for the defending champion Thunder with a league-leading record, the 2025-26 campaign was also riddled with injuries to key players. Maybe that’s the reason why The Thunder are reportedly active on the trade frontpotentially weighing options, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.

For the first time in two years, there has been chatter in NBA circles that the Thunder are interested trading for centerWindhorst said on ESPN’s The Hoop Collective.

“I actually heard the name Oklahoma City Thunder in some trade talk, and you look at this team, and you say, wait a minute, this team has, you know, 66 wins or whatever they had last year, champions, when they were healthy this year, they were unstoppable,” Windhorst said.

“Why would the Oklahoma City Thunder’s name be there? And why would the Oklahoma City Thunder’s name be there, potentially looking at centers?”

Thunder starting center Isaiah Hartenstein is back from a knee injury that caused him to miss 16 games, while All-NBA forward and All-defensive end Jalen Williams has missed 25 of the Thunder’s 49 games this season.