With the wheels seemingly falling off this month, Minnesota corrected course when it badly needed to do so Monday in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, center, loses the ball as he drives past Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, left, and forward Jaden McDaniels, right, in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

The Timberwolves defended well all evening and out-executed the Thunder down the stretch — a formula Minnesota used to compile wins at a high rate for the first two months of the season — en route to a 107-101 victory.

The contest was fitting of two teams located at the top of the Western Conference standings, with the two squads trading blows for the entirety of the 48 minute bout.

Minnesota was better defensively than it has been in some recent contests, making things difficult on Oklahoma City’s top perimeter scorers. Still, the Thunder managed to generate a number of good looks from three.

Oklahoma City grabbed eight offensive boards that led to 15 second-chance points. Most of those second-chance looks came off long boards because the Thunder were just a step quicker. Oklahoma City shot 40 percent from deep.

And yet, Minnesota combatted that by shooting the three at a 49 percent clip in its own right.

The Wolves were sans Mike Conley, who missed his fourth game in Minnesota’s past five contests with hamstring soreness. But his absence wasn’t as notable Monday in Oklahoma City, thanks to Jordan McLaughlin.

The reserve guard provided a needed boost, hitting a pair of wide-open triples as part of his 10 point showing on a perfect 4 for 4 performance from the field.

Filling in for Conley in the starting lineup, Nickeil Alexander-Walker was again excellent at both ends. He scored 12 points, hitting a number of critical shots when Minnesota (33-14) needed them.

Anthony Edwards had 27 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, and Rudy Gobert compiled 12 points and 17 rebounds.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — a Most Valuable Player candidate — was excellent for the Thunder (32-15), who were on the second half of a back to back. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 37 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. His wingman, Jalen Williams, scored 20 points for Oklahoma City before exiting with an apparent ankle injury with a minute to play.

The tight contest went down to the wire, where the Wolves have often faltered late. But they forced the ball out of Gilgeous-Alexander’s hands at critical junctures, and seemingly everyone hit a big shot at opportune moments for Minnesota to pull out the win.

The win gives the Wolves sole possession of first place in the tightly-contested race for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs, while also giving coach Chris Finch the inside track to being the Western Conference’s coach at the upcoming all-star game.