The Oklahoma City Thunder sits atop the Western Conference standings, but maintain their positioning could get difficult as they enter the toughest part of their schedule so far this season. Tonight, the Thunder heads to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves, who have won two straight after losing their previous 5 games.
OKC and Minnesota have put together some fun battles over the last couple of seasons, and tonight’s meeting should offer the same energy. The Thunder has struggled to stay healthy lately, but Isaiah Hartenstein is set to return. Meanwhile the Timberwolves are fighting for position in the standings, struggling with consistency through their schedule.
Oklahoma City is a slight favorite headed into Thursday night’s matchup, and neither team has performed particularly well in close games. The Thunder is 2-6 in games decided by 3 points or less, while the Timberwolves are 3-4 in such games. However, OKC is 13-7 in clutch games—any game where the score is within five points or less with five minutes or less remaining in the fourth quarter or overtime—while Minnesota is 11-11.
If recent history has taught us anything, this game will be a tight one through and through. Both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards have performed well in clutch situations this season, and the result of this one could come down to who can have the better finish.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 8:30 PM CT
Location: Target Center (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Television: Prime Video
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: Aaron Wiggins
- PF: Chet Holmgren
- C: Isaiah Hartenstein
Timberwolves
- PG: Donte DiVincenzo
- SG: Anthony Edwards
- SF: Jaden McDaniels
- PF: Julius Randle
- C: Rudy Gobert
Injury Report
Thunder
- Alex Caruso (strained right adductor) is OUT
- Ajay Mitchell (strained abdominal) is OUT.
- Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery) is OUT.
- Nikola Topic (surgical recovery) is OUT.
- Cason Wallace (left hip soreness) is QUESTIONABLE.
- Jalen Williams (strained right hamstring) is OUT.
Timberwolves
- Mike Conley (back spasms) is OUT.
- Enrique Freeman (G League — two-way) is OUT.
- Rudy Gobert (sprained left ankle) is OUT.
- Terrence Shannon Jr. (strained abductor hallucis in left foot) is OUT.
- Rocco Sikarsky (G League — two-way) is OUT.
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 40-27 against the Timberwolves (21-12 at home, 20-15 on the road) and 4-1 in the Playoffs (3-0 at home, 1-1 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 4 times, and tied it 4 times.
- The Thunder went 2-2 against the Timberwolves in the 2024-25 regular season (1-1 at home, 1-1 on the road).
- OKC defeated Minnesota 4-1 in the Western Conference Finals (3-0 at home, 1-1 on the road).
- OKC is 1-1 against Minnesota so far this season (1-0 at home, 0-1 on the road).