The Ryan Saunders coaching era is off to a great start, and if Andrew Wiggins’ performance is any indication of what he might be with Saunders in charge, then things are going to be very good for the Wolves.
Wiggins scored 40 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to lead the Wolves to a 119-117 road win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, but not without some crazy drama in the final 13 seconds.
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Ryan Saunders and the @Timberwolves win in his head coaching debut! #AllEyesNorth pic.twitter.com/InZVoUOvQX
— FanDuel Sports Network North (@FanDuelSN_NOR) January 9, 2019
Wiggins made 11-of-24 shots and was a James Harden-like 16-of-18 at the free throw line.
“I felt good. My teammates got me the ball early and I got in a good rhythm early,” Wiggins told Fox Sports North’s Marney Gellner after the game.
It’s just the sixth career double-double for Wiggins, and just the sixth time he’s reach double-digit rebounds in a game.
Scary fall for Nerlens Noel
The game was delayed slightly in the third quarter after Nerlens Noel slammed his head on the court and appeared to be knocked unconscious. It happened when Noel contented Wiggins at the rim, only to take an elbow from Wiggins to the face and fall to the hardwood, hitting the side of his head on the floor.
Noel was stretchered off the court and his condition wasn’t immediately known.
Oklahoma is stunned in silence after Nerlens Noel copped a nasty double hit to the head…
Prayers up 🙏 #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/QDooPkwzgs
— NBA Live by Sportsmate (@nbaLIVE_app) January 9, 2019
Not long after Noel’s injury, Jeff Teague was ejected after picking up two technical fouls after getting into a shoving match with Dennis Schroder.
Teague & Schroder getting into it pic.twitter.com/0J4BduK6gJ
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) January 9, 2019
