The Wolves jumped out to an 18-point lead in the first quarter and never looked back, beating Oklahoma City 100-81 from Target Center Friday night.
Kevin Love led all scorers with 24 points and added 12 rebounds, while Minnesota played 13 guys, including rookies Shabazz Muhammad and Gorgui Dieng for the first time this season.
The one rough moment of the night came as Wolves big man Ronny Turiaf fought for a rebound. He slammed into the floor as he tried to corral the loose ball, and has a right elbow contusion, from which he did not return.
Thunder’ superstar Kevin Durant, who put up 42 points against Utah in Oklahoma City’s season opener, was held to just 13 points on 4-of-11 from the field.
Oklahoma City was without their other big name, point guard Russell Westbrook, as he recovers from a second surgery on his right knee, which sustained a torn lateral meniscus in last year’s playoffs.
Minnesota returns to the floor Sunday night in New York, a 6:30 p.m. battle with Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks from Madison Square Garden.
