The Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t just win Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder—they made it look like an NBA team scrimmaging against high schoolers. A 42-point beatdown at home had the crowd in full playoff frenzy. The arena shook with every dunk, every block, every bucket. It was domination in its purest form.

But as impressive as the Timberwolves were, besides Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle‘s redemption, there was someone else who left fans gasping. That honor belonged to someone furrier, wilder, and much higher off the ground.

Midway through the second half, with the game well out of reach, Crunch the Wolf—the Timberwolves’ longtime mascot—decided it was time to turn up the energy to another level. Cameras cut to him standing on the court, pointing toward a massive vertical banner labeled “PLAYOFFS LOUD!.” Before anyone could process what was happening, Crunch took off sprinting… and climbed the banner like it was a jungle gym.

WCF Crunch is risking his/her life for this team!!!! #WolvesBack #Timberwolves pic.twitter.com/PQN7J4bPaI

— Nadine Babu (@NadineBabu) May 25, 2025

Then came the real shock: as the banner began to rise—Crunch the Wolf was still hanging from the very top—he refused to let go. No harness, no safety net. Just Crunch, 30 feet in the air, swinging from a playoff sign like a maniacal squirrel with a death wish.

At first, the crowd cheered. Then, confusion. Laughter turned into nervous chuckles. Phone cameras were out, but so were concerned murmurs. Was this a stunt? Was he okay? Is this even legal?

Fans React: Hype Turns Into “Is He Okay?”

As footage of Crunch the Wolf’s death-defying banner stunt spread across social media, fans were equal parts hyped and horrified.

“It’s crazy when he goes up on the tall ladder,” one person said. “I’m like no Crunch, that’s dangerous!” And honestly, they’ve got a point. This isn’t some first-time gimmick. Crunch has built a reputation off jaw-dropping acts—like launching off trampolines to nail flips and high-flying dunks, sometimes even soaring over groups of people or elaborate props (Timberwolves official mascot highlight reels). He’s not new to the chaos.

But his track record also includes some painful reminders. In 2017, during a seemingly innocent sledding stunt, Crunch accidentally injured Karl-Anthony Towns Sr.—an incident that made national headlines and proved that even “safe” mascot moments can turn risky fast.

So yeah, when fans yell “No Crunch!”—it’s not just for laughs. It’s from a place of real concern. Because while most NBA mascots walk the fine line between entertainment and insanity, Crunch doesn’t just toe the line—he jumps over it, sometimes from a trampoline.

Another viewer saw themselves in Crunch’s chaos: “Hey, I could see myself ” he said,

Now, humans naturally relate everything to themselves—but this one raised some eyebrows. Was he just spotting himself in the crowd footage? Or—god help us—did he genuinely mean he sees himself in Crunch’s wild stunt? Because if it’s the latter, someone gets Red Bull on the phone. We might’ve just found their next adrenaline junkie.

But the real curveball came from a behind-the-mask mystery. “Wait… do you guys not even know who’s in there?!” someone asked.

The reply? “No! The mascot game is very professional. I know Goldy Gophers that still won’t ever publicly say they were a mascot.”

Mascot identities? Oh, those are some of the best-kept secrets in sports. Most performers sign strict NDAs and don’t spill the beans—not even to their closest friends or family—until years after they retire the suit. Take Minnesota’s Goldy Gopher, for example. For decades, those guys have kept their true selves under wraps, adding to the mystery and magic that makes the mascot so special.

It’s the same deal in the NBA. Rocky from the Denver Nuggets managed to keep his identity hidden for 24 years before finally retiring. Behind all the wild stunts and crowd antics, these mascots are highly trained athletes—think gymnastics and stunt skills. And they live by a strict code: never break character, never reveal who’s behind the mask, and always keep the energy up for the fans, especially the kids. It’s a serious job wrapped in fun and chaos.

So yeah, maybe we’ll never know who risked it all in Game 3—but one thing’s for sure—they’ve earned their spot in the mascot hall of insanity.