The Minnesota Timberwolves are expressing frustration with the officiating in their Western Conference finals series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The team’s zone defense was ineffective, allowing the Thunder to take a 2-0 lead with an 118-103 win at Paycom Center.
Game Highlights
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Anthony Edwards struggled to score outside of his usual spots, finishing 1 for 9 from three-point range. His shooting woes hindered his performance despite receiving the ball in different locations.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder’s charge, scoring 11 of his 38 points in the third quarter. Fans at Paycom Center chanted "MVP" as he was repeatedly fouled throughout the game. His ability to draw fouls has been crucial this season, allowing him to maintain efficiency despite lower shooting percentages during the regular season.
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Julius Randle returned after missing most of Game Two due to injury but played only ten minutes in the second half as the Wolves attempted to counter OKC’s quickness by going small. Randle stated he will try harder next game.
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Chris Finch, the Wolves’ coach, believes that limiting turnovers could be key to stopping OKC’s late-game runs if executed effectively by the players.
Series Overview
The Minnesota Timberwolves are facing a tough challenge as they trail their opponent after two games in the Western Conference finals series against Oklahoma City.
Game One Recap
- In Game One at Target Center, Anthony Edwards scored a career-high playoff point total but fell short as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led four players who scored over thirty points, helping propel OKC past Minnesota by an eight-point margin (131-123).
Game Two Recap
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In Game Two at Paycom Center, the Wolves struggled to find enough offense outside their usual spots, allowing another big performance from Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored thirty-eight points and drew eleven free throws.
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Edwards finished one-for-nine from beyond the arc and shot just five-for-twenty-one overall, being held under twenty-five percent efficiency from both areas where he typically finds success.
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Despite receiving passes out of his usual spots via pick-and-roll action set up by teammates like Kyle Anderson and Rudy Gobert, Edwards could not convert, resulting in no additional production beyond isolation plays.
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Gilgeous-Alexander had a big third quarter, scoring eleven straight points, including six free throws, helping give OKC its largest lead (22) midway through the fourth quarter.
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Fans chanted "MVP" throughout the game, as every foul called on Gilgeous-Alexander contributed to extra possessions for the Thunder, which hurt the Wolves’ chances.
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Rudy Gobert had a strong first half, putting up fifteen rebounds (including seven offensive boards) and twelve points, helping give the Wolves an early advantage. However, the situation changed quickly as OKC started making shots, leading to a nine-point deficit in the final frame due to poor defense and rebounding efforts.
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After missing most of Game Two due to injury, Randle returned late in the second half, playing only ten minutes. Despite limited playing time, he finished with 14 points and 5 rebounds.
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Coach Chris Finch emphasized the importance of limiting turnovers, stating, “We can’t turn it over,” and added, “If we don’t turn it over, then we can stop them.”
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