The Oklahoma City Thunder are proving why they’re the team to beat in the 2025 NBA Western Conference Finals.Alexander On Thursday, May 22, at the Paycom Center, they delivered a commanding 118-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, taking a 2-0 lead in the series. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, fresh off being named the NBA MVP, was the star of the night, dropping 38 points, eight assists, and three rebounds to power his team to another convincing win.
The Thunder’s third-quarter explosion has become their signature move. After a competitive first half, they outscored the Timberwolves 35-21 in the third, a 14-point swing that mirrored their Game 1 dominance. A highlight-reel alley-oop dunk from Chet Holmgren with under three minutes left in the quarter stretched OKC’s lead to 17, leaving Minnesota scrambling. Despite a late push from the Timberwolves, the game was never truly in doubt.
Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards showed up ready to fight in Game 2, a stark contrast to his quieter Game 1 performance. The young star poured in 32 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and dished out six assists, giving Wolves fans a glimmer of hope. However, his efforts weren’t enough to counter OKC’s relentless defense and balanced attack. Edwards’ frustration from Game 1 spilled over into a $50,000 fine from the NBA for using profane language in his postgame press conference, where he lamented taking only 13 shots.
The Timberwolves’ supporting cast struggled to keep pace. Julius Randle, who led the team with 20 points in the first half of Game 1, was held to just one shot attempt in the third quarter of that game and couldn’t replicate his early impact in Game 2. Minnesota’s three-point shooting was another sore spot, with the team going 11-for-39 from deep in Game 1 and continuing to struggle from long range. Their 19 turnovers in the opener led to 31 points for OKC, and while they tightened up slightly in Game 2, the Thunder still capitalized on five third-quarter turnovers for 12 points.
The Thunder’s defense has been the talk of the playoffs, and for good reason. They led the league during the regular season, allowing just 106.6 points per 100 possessions, and have elevated their game in the postseason to a stingy 100.7 points per 100 possessions. In Game 1, they held Minnesota to a dismal 34.9% from the field and outscored them 54-20 in the paint. Game 2 saw more of the same, with OKC’s ball pressure wearing down the Wolves and forcing mistakes.
Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein have been pivotal in the paint, alternating minutes to keep Minnesota’s bigs, like Rudy Gobert, off balance. Holmgren, who added 22 points and a highlight dunk in Game 2, has been a defensive anchor, while OKC’s small-ball lineups have confused the Wolves’ game plan. The Thunder’s depth shone through with Jalen Williams contributing 26 points and 10 rebounds, and bench players like Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso turning up the defensive intensity.
Minnesota’s game plan relies heavily on Edwards and Randle, but the lack of production from their teammates has been glaring. In Game 1, only Mike Conley had a positive plus-minus (+5), and no other Timberwolf reached double-digit scoring. Rudy Gobert, a defensive stalwart, was played off the court in stretches as OKC went small and exploited mismatches. The Wolves’ bench shot a dismal 4-for-24 on open threes in Game 1, a trend that continued to haunt them in Game 2.
Despite these struggles, there’s some optimism for Minnesota as they head home to Target Center for Game 3. The Wolves have lost just one of their last 10 games in Minneapolis, and with Gobert confirmed healthy and off the injury report, they’ll look to him to anchor their defense. Still, Minnesota needs to clean up their turnovers and find a better shot profile—relying on 61% of their shots being threes isn’t cutting it against OKC’s elite defense.
If there was any doubt about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP credentials, he’s putting them to rest in this series. His ability to draw fouls—sometimes controversially—has been a point of contention for Minnesota. Edwards even earned a technical foul in Game 1 for tossing the ball at Gilgeous-Alexander after a questionable call. But SGA’s impact goes beyond free throws. His 31 points, nine assists, and five rebounds in Game 1, followed by an even more dominant Game 2, show why he’s the heartbeat of this Thunder team.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s knack for taking over games in the second half has been a game-changer. In Game 1, he scored 20 of his 31 points after halftime, and in Game 2, his 11 third-quarter points set the tone. “It starts with getting stops,” he said after Game 2. “We get stops, we’re able to play fast, play to our strengths, and be special.” His ability to stay calm under pressure and exploit Minnesota’s physical defense has given OKC a clear edge.
As the series shifts to Minnesota for Game 3 on Sunday, May 25, the Timberwolves face a must-win situation. Trailing 2-0, they can’t afford to fall further behind against a Thunder team that’s clicking on all cylinders. Minnesota will need to lean on their home crowd and find ways to get Edwards and Randle more efficient looks while limiting OKC’s paint dominance. Donte DiVincenzo, who’s been quiet so far, could be a key X-factor if he can knock down open shots.
For the Thunder, it’s about maintaining their momentum. Their ability to adjust after a slow first half in Game 1 and dominate the third quarters of both games shows a team that’s battle-tested and confident. With Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way and a deep roster that keeps opponents guessing, OKC looks poised to make a strong push toward the NBA Finals.
This matchup is a clash of two young, hungry teams led by superstar guards. The Thunder, with their league-best defense and versatile offense, are showing they’re ready to take the next step. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, are banking on their home-court advantage and Edwards’ star power to turn the series around. With both teams showcasing the NBA’s bright future, every game is a must-watch.
As Game 3 approaches, all eyes will be on whether Minnesota can regroup or if OKC’s unstoppable momentum will carry them closer to the Finals. One thing’s for sure: this series is delivering the drama and excitement fans crave.
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