The Oklahoma City Thunder came out a bit flat against the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 before having a monster second half to propel them to a 114-88 win and a 1-0 series lead. Following the win on Tuesday night, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was finally announced as the NBA’s Most Valuable Player after an incredible season. With the announcement finally made, it feels like OKC can refocus all their attention to the run they’re making at an NBA Finals trophy.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has had an incredible season, and after a couple of shaky games in the playoffs, he’s started to heat up and play closer to his potential. It has been the contributions from his teammates, however, that have ultimately pushed them over the edge. Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, and Aaron Wiggins have come off the bench in big ways, and when the starters haven’t necessarily pulled their weight at moments, the bench mob has given the Thunder the edge to pull out close wins.
When it all comes down to it, OKC is at its best when the defense is flying around. In Game 1, the Thunder forced 17 Minnesota turnovers for a whopping 31 points. It’s hard to see the Timberwolves being that careless for a second game in a row, but OKC needs to do their best to continue to wreak havoc on that end of the floor. This team will typically go as far as the defense will take them.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 7:30 PM CT
Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Television: ESPN
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @ZacharyLowNBA for live tweets and discussion during the game
Game Notes: Oklahoma City Thunder Official Game Notes, Minnesota Timberwolves Official Game Notes
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Luguentz Dort
- SF: Jalen Williams
- PF: Chet Holmgren
- C: Isaiah Hartenstein
Timberwolves
- PG: Mike Conley
- SG: Anthony Edwards
- SF: Jaden McDaniels
- PF: Julius Randle
- C: Rudy Gobert
Injury Report
Thunder
- Nikola Topic (left knee surgery) is OUT.
Timberwolves
- NONE
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 40-26 against the Timberwolves (20-12 at home, 20-14 on the road) and 1-0 in the Playoffs (1-0 at home, 0-0 on the road).
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has won the 4-game regular season series against the Timberwolves 9 times, lost it 3 times, and tied it 4 times.
- The Thunder went 2-2 against the Timberwolves in the regular season (1-1 at home, 1-1 on the road).
- OKC leads Minnesota 1-0 in the Western Conference Finals (1-0 at home, 0-0 on the road).