Jimmy Butler was just what the doctor ordered for the Timberwolves on Friday night.
Butler, battling an upper respiratory illness, was back in the lineup after missing the last two games – blowout losses to the Pacers and Pistons – and he came up clutch with the fourth-quarter heroics the Wolves needed in a 119-116 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Butler finished the game with 25 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists in 39 minutes. Thirteen of his 25 points came in the fourth quarter. He also assisted on a game-tying 3-pointer by Karl-Anthony Towns and a huge Taj Gibson bucket to help keep the Thunder at bay late in the game.
He scored or assisted on 18 of Minnesota’s 29 points in the fourth quarter.
A cutting @JimmyButler ties it up at 109!
đź“ş: NBA TV pic.twitter.com/vjcO1Fa87i
— NBA TV (@NBATV) October 28, 2017
Jimmy Butler won't quit pic.twitter.com/2hkxljLZrX
— A Wolf Among Wolves (@AWAWBlog) October 28, 2017
Towns was the man in the first three quarters before giving way to Butler. The big man finished with a game-high 33 points, 19 rebounds and 4 blocks.
Jeff Teague scored 17 to go along with 10 assists, Gibson finished with 16 points, and Andrew Wiggins added 14.
Jimmy Butler highlights from tonight pic.twitter.com/K26pE4nyy5
— A Wolf Among Wolves (@AWAWBlog) October 28, 2017
The Wolves are now 2-0 against the Thunder, who were projected by most to win the Central Division.
Note: Minnesota is now 2-26 in games they allow 115+ points under head coach Tom Thibodeau.
