A little over midway through the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Julius Randle backed down his defender in the post and then fired a crisp kickout pass to Jaden McDaniels above the 3-point line. McDaniels had an open look at a 3 from an area of the floor that has been profitable for him.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Jaden McDaniels scored 27 points ... Jalen Williams scored 27 points and Aaron Wiggins added 19 for the Thunder, who still lead the Western Conference at 46-11. Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, who missed three months with a pelvic fracture ...

JJust when it appeared the Oklahoma City Thunder were going to run away from Minnesota like they've run away from the pack in the Western Conference standings, the Timberwolves made a stand.

Minnesota erased a 25-point third-quarter deficit against the Western Conference’s top ... Inside the final minute of the fourth quarter, Jaden McDaniels converted an and-1 layup over Thunder ...

Jaden McDaniels scored 27 points ... 27 points and Aaron Wiggins added 19 for the Thunder, who still lead the Western Conference at 46-11. Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, who missed three months ...

OKLAHOMA CITY — Jaden McDaniels scored 27 points ... who still lead the Western Conference at 46-11. Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, who missed three months with a pelvic fracture before recently ...