Thunderbeat Nuggets face Timberwolves in Game 7
Shy Gilgauss Alexander and Thunder cruise past the Nuggets and are now facing the Timberwolves, the crown of the Western Conference.
Sports Pulse
The top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder is an outrageous favorite as it opens the NBA Western Conference Finals against the sixth seeded Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.
The Thunder worked a bit hard to get there, then distanced himself from the Denver Nuggets before finally being pulled away in a 125-93 victory in Game 7, behind 35 points from MVP contender Shy Gilgauss Alexander. This is the franchise’s sixth meeting final since Oklahoma City is still searching for its first title, but since moving from Seattle in 2008.
Minnesota won second straight trip to the conference finals by eliminating the Golden State Warriors without Steph Curry in five games. By the time the game reduced the hints, the Timberwolves enjoyed a five-day rest compared to just one day of lightning.
Follow us for the latest updates from Timberwolves vs. Thunder Game 1.
Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels fouled out as the Timberwolves chased 81-93, with 5:21 remaining in the game.
Q3’s End: Thunder 76, Timberwolves 66
The Thunder scored up to nine points in the first half, but Oklahoma City found that rhythm in the third quarter, scoring a 20-6 run to score a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 12 of 23 points in the third quarter, while Jalen Williams added 15 points. The Thunder shoots 45.9% off the field, while the Timberwolves shoots 33.9%.
The Timberwolves surpassed 32-18 in the third quarter. Worse, Edwards picked up his fourth foul in the third quarter with 1:08 left. Jaden McDaniels also has four fouls. Edwards has up to 18 points and 7 rebounds, while Julius Randle has 20 points (all scored in the first half). The Timberwolves bench is held at 12 points.
The Timberwolves head to the locker room with a four-point lead over Thunder thanks to the first half of Julius Randle’s monster. Randle had 20 of Minnesota’s 48 points, shooting 8-for-6 from the field and 6-for-6 from the 3-pointer. His five threes already mark a playoff career high for Randle.
Timberwolves is 10 from 3 to 28, and Thunder only hits 3-pointers. But Oklahoma City does most of its damage internally, surpassing the Minnesota 22-4 with paint.
Despite scoring a team-high 11 points, Oklahoma City’s Shy Gilgauss Alexander has been struggling so far. He’s 13th from the field, 3-0-2-2, but he made 7 of 7 free throws to save the stat line.
The Timberwolves surrendered 11 turnovers and were translated into 18 points for the Thunder.
Just a quarter of the Western Conference Finals, the Minnesota Timberwolves were injured.
All-Star shooting guard Anthony Edwards ran in the lane towards the Oklahoma City Thunder less than a minute during the period, turning his right ankle while tweaking and tweaking his feet. Edwards was fouled in the play and immediately grabbed her ankle. He seemed to be feeling uncomfortable.
Edwards stayed in the game and made one of his two free throw attempts after the injury. ESPN cameras went into the locker room after the quarter ended, where Edwards went into the locker room, where he remained at the start of the second quarter, but at 7:01 he returned to the floor for the other half.
Check out Lorenzo Reyes’ complete injury report here.
Q1’s End: Timberwolves 23, Thunder 20
The Timberwolves have a three-point advantage over the Thunder since the quarter. Anthony Edwards has a team-high seven points (two FGs, 1-1-1 3PT) in Minnesota, but he returned to the locker room, limping with an obvious ankle injury. He seemed to have tweaked his right ankle after heading to the basket at the first quarter closure and landing on Alex Caruso.
Despite having a nearly week of rest, the Timberwolves came out with a red fever, and the first five points came from Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels, leading the lightning 8-0. The Thunder settled down and took the first lead of the 17-16 night with 4:58 left.
Thunder’s relentless pressure was fully on display, with more than half of that point being removed from the turnover. The Timberwolves were forced into seven turnovers that Oklahoma City converted to 13 points. The Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a game high 9 points (2-for-2 FG, 0-of-2 3PT).
What time is the Timberwolves and Thunder?
Game 1 of the NBA’s Western Conference Finals Series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder will take place at 8:30pm ET/7:30pm.
Timberwolves vs. Thunder: How to watch TV, Stream
- time: 8:30pm / 7:30pm CT
- position: Paycom Center;Ororama, Oklahoma City
- tv set: ESPN
- stream: ESPN+, Fubo
Timberwolves-Thunder Start Lineup
The Timberwolves and Thunder are sticking to the same lineup they rode during the 2025 NBA playoffs.
Minnesota Timberwolves
- Jaden McDaniels
- Julius Randle
- Rudy Gobert
- Anthony Edwards
- Mike Conley
Oklahoma City Thunder
- Jalen Williams
- Chet Holmgren
- Isaiah Hertenstein
- lu sleeps
- Shy Gilgaus Alexander
The Oklahoma City Thunder mascot is nothing more than a bison rumble named after the Thunder sound. Rumble The Bison made a special appearance on the pre-match show on ESPN. Well, bison is the official national animal of Oklahoma.
Mike Conley Statistics
Conley has his 18th season in the NBA, averaging 8.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 71 games this year. He averaged 6.8 points, 3.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 10 games in the 2025 playoffs.
Look at NBA finalists and champions. You need stars to win and both teams have them. Thunderguard Shy Gilgauss Alexander was an MVP finalist and was able to win the award for the first time in his career. He is the first scorer, and can be created for others, especially on the inside of the 3-point line and the foul line.
Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards will make one of three All-NBA teams this season as he approaches MVP territory. At just 23 years old, Edwards’ ability to score, rebound, pass and defensively makes him difficult to match up offensively and defensively. He’s having fun watching and enjoying sw walking into his game.
Check out Jeff Zirgitt’s complete Western Conference Final storyline.
Every game has players who contribute more than you would expect. They aren’t always the same player, especially at the depths owned by Minnesota and Oklahoma City. For Minnesota, it could be Jaden McDaniel’s defense or Rudy Goat’s rim protection. Or Mike Conley’s timely 3-pointer, or Don Teddy Vincenzo or Nazreed’s big game.
For the Thunder, Alex Caruso was a game seven player against Denver, with 11 points, three assists, three steals and a fierce defense. Chet Holmgren – in 7-1 – creates 3 seconds, rebound, blocking shots and presents unique problems to your opponent. Center Isaiah Hartenstein can offer double doubles, and Lu Dort’s shooting and defense could affect the outcome. Thunder goes deep into the bench with Aaron Wiggins and Cathon Wallace, Isaiah Joe and Jaylin Williams.
West Final X Factor: Reid, Dort, Randle
The versatility of Naz Reid, the defense of Lou Dort, and the possibility of Julius Randle’s discrepancies could shape the Western final.
Oklahoma City’s Mark Daenoo isn’t worried that the Timberwolves are about to ask for a positive call.
“So teams, players and coaches are going to use the media to influence the mouth as a competitive advantage,” Daigneault said Monday. “The margins are thin. In the playoffs, everyone is looking for benefits. Some teams go to it to do that.”
Daigneault continued. This is pretty consistent.
USA Today sports experts make predictions before game one series.
Timberwolves vs. Thunder series winner
- Jeff Zirgitt: 7-year-old Thunder
- Lorenzo Reyes: Six Thunder
- Heather Tucker: Six Thunders
- James Williams: Six Thunder
- Jordan Mendoza: 6 Timberwolves
- Scooby Axson: Thunder in 6
- Cydney Henderson: Thunder in 7
Timberwolves vs. Thunder Game 1 winner
- Jeff Zirgitt: Oklahoma City Thunder
- Lorenzo Reyes: Oklahoma City Thunder
- Heather Tucker: Oklahoma City Thunder
- James Williams: Oklahoma City Thunder
- Scooby Axson: Oklahoma City Thunder
- Cydney Henderson: Oklahoma City Thunder
Timberwolves vs. Thunder Odds
Odds via betmgm as of Monday, May 19th
Game 1 odds
- line: Thunder-7.5
- Money Line: Thunder -325, Timberwolves +260
- Over/Under: 215.5
Probability to win the Western Conference Finals
- Oklahoma City Thunder-350
- Minnesota Timberwolves +280
Contribution: Jeff Zirgitt
