Holmgren’s Late Three Highlights Thunder’s Growth in Gritty NBA Cup Victory

The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their blistering start to the season on Wednesday night, outlasting the Minnesota Timberwolves 113–105 in a physical NBA Cup matchup that demanded poise and precision deep into the fourth quarter. Despite leading for much of the night, Oklahoma City found itself locked in a tight battle late, forced to rely on execution and composure to close out a determined Minnesota team.

Chet Holmgren delivered the decisive moment, knocking down a dagger three-pointer in the final minute to extend the Thunder’s lead to four. The shot — his lone make from beyond the arc — helped seal Oklahoma City’s 18th win of the season and pushed its winning streak to 10 games.

After the contest, Holmgren pointed to head coach Mark Daigneault’s trust and guidance as catalysts for the confidence needed to step into such a crucial attempt. Daigneault had challenged the Thunder earlier in the night, urging greater discipline after one of the team’s toughest regular-season battles to date.

The win reinforced the Thunder’s status as the league’s hottest team and underscored their ability to adapt when games don’t follow the script — a trait often separating contenders from the rest of the field.

1. Holmgren Responds to Pressure With Confidence

Holmgren’s final-minute three was the headline moment of an otherwise challenging shooting night. He finished with 12 points on 4-for-12 shooting, but his ability to stay engaged — and Daigneault’s willingness to keep him on the floor — proved pivotal in the game’s closing stretch. Following the win, Holmgren emphasized the importance of staying mentally steady, particularly when a game isn’t unfolding smoothly. He credited his coach for maintaining confidence in him, allowing him to remain in the closing lineup despite earlier struggles. That trust paid off with the biggest shot of the night. Holmgren noted that games like Wednesday’s serve as valuable preparation for high-stakes moments later in the season. Tight finishes, he said, offer opportunities to practice late-game execution, communication, and decision-making under pressure. While he acknowledged the goal is always to put opponents away earlier, Holmgren welcomed the experience, describing it as another step in the Thunder’s ongoing development as a championship-caliber group.

2. Gilgeous-Alexander Highlights Team Growth in Gritty Win

In the aftermath of the victory, All-Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander echoed Holmgren’s sentiment, pointing to the demonstration of maturity required to pull out a win when the game turns unpredictable. Daigneault, too, had stressed postgame that the Thunder still have areas to sharpen despite the impressive record. Gilgeous-Alexander said the win reflected the team’s evolution, particularly in poise, communication, and its ability to win possession-by-possession against physical opponents. These traits, he added, are skills the group has learned to build over time — and which surfaced naturally in Wednesday’s contest. He noted that the game had a different rhythm than many of the Thunder’s recent blowout victories. Instead of leaning on pace and offensive flow, Oklahoma City had to rely on defense, rebounding, and situational execution, all of which will be vital in playoff-like environments. To Gilgeous-Alexander, the ability to “grind it out” — even when the night feels unfamiliar — is a sign of a mature, resilient team capable of winning in multiple ways.

3. Thunder’s Historic Start Gains Another Test Passed

With the victory over Minnesota, the Thunder improved to an NBA-best 18–1, extending their winning streak to 10 games and reinforcing their status as the league’s most dominant team through the first quarter of the season. The defending champions have repeatedly showcased their depth, balance, and late-game composure, traits on full display Wednesday night. Though Daigneault emphasized areas for improvement, Oklahoma City’s ability to close out games that deviate from their preferred style is a hallmark of top-tier teams. Grinding through adversity, maintaining defensive pressure, and executing under pressure have allowed the Thunder to stay atop the league even when shots aren’t falling. For a young roster that has evolved together over several seasons, these tough wins serve as important markers of growth. Each close finish adds another layer of confidence and experience, further solidifying the Thunder’s championship identity. As the season moves forward, the Thunder continue to set the standard across the NBA — and Wednesday’s hard-earned victory provided yet another reminder of why they remain the team to beat.