T-Wolves silence Thunder

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — The short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves halted Oklahoma City’s seven-game National Basketball Association (NBA) winning streak, beating the Western Conference-leading Thunder 116-101 on Thursday on the eve of the All-Star break.

The Thunder’s defeat — the first all season in which they trailed all the way — sends Oklahoma City into the break tied with Eastern Conference leaders Cleveland for best record in the league at 44-10.

With Rudy Gobert sidelined by back spasms, center Naz Reid scored 27 points with 13 rebounds, seven assists and a blocked shot to lead the Timberwolves.

Anthony Edwards added 23 points, eight rebounds and seven assists and Jaden McDaniels scored 21 for Minnesota, who bounced back from a narrow loss to the Milwaukee Bucks the night before.

“We were down a couple of guys,” Reid said. “We had big Rudy out today, so everybody had to step up big, and we all did.”

Oklahoma City’s Most Valuable Player candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24 points, ending his streak of 25-point games at 22.