Andrew Wiggins opens the bank to close out the OKC Thunder

The stars were out in Oklahoma City as the revamped Minnesota Timberwolves met the new look Thunder in a tight contest between the two Western Conference powerhouses. Led by the 2017 NBA MVP Russell Westbrook, the Thunder got out to a commanding lead only to see their efforts thwarted by a buzzer beating bank shot by rising star Andrew Wiggins.

The battle of the NBA’s newest big threes entertained stadium fans and television viewers alike as the game came down to the wire in a shootout that saw the big names drain big shot after big shot. The teams rapidly exchanged the lead back and forth until Wiggins drained the clutch three point dagger to settle the score 115-113.

At game’s end, two things were incredibly clear. For the Thunder to make a title run in their first season pairing Russel Westbrook with Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, the trio will have to play near perfect basketball. And for the Timberwolves to cement their status as contenders, their young superstars in the making Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns can’t stagnate in their progression as players.

Three games don’t tell the tale of a season, especially for teams full of new pieces. However, each game is just as important as the next when building culture and laying foundation for the rest of the year. To be clear, the time to hit the panic button isn’t now, but both franchises shouldn’t be content with the sole possession of big names alone.