The Oklahoma City Thunder are one step closer to reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012. They swept the No. 8 seed Memphis Grizzlies before needing seven games to eliminate the No. 4 seed Denver Nuggets.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves are trying to secure their first appearance in the NBA Finals in franchise history. The Wolves already knocked off the No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers in seven games before dispatching the No. 7 seed Golden State Warriors.
Game One Highlights
In Game One of their series:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with a game-high 31 points after being "a bit rusty" coming out of halftime. He shot 4-of-15 from deep but made all 8 free throws he attempted.
- Oklahoma City’s bench scored its highest total output this postseason, producing a +23 net rating against Minnesota’s reserves, led by Darius Bazley with a +16 rating.
- The Thunder held Minnesota starters Anthony Edwards (-10), Karl-Anthony Towns (-14), and Rudy Gobert (-17) under water on both ends while limiting them each to single-digit scoring totals.
Player Performances
- Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 6 rebounds and 4 assists, committing only 2 fouls throughout the game.
- Edwards struggled outside of transition, going 0-for-5 from distance, while Towns missed all 5 shots not within three feet, including going 0-for-4 from downtown. Gobert made none of his 10 attempts inside that range.
This isn’t surprising given the struggles seen elsewhere this season, especially considering how often teams try to force players into tough spots rather than letting them operate freely.
Key Matchup
The matchup between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams is another key focus. Both players have shown incredible potential throughout the playoffs, displaying flashes of brilliance whenever the opportunity arises. With such high stakes involved, they are fighting for bragging rights among fans and possibly securing their spots among the greatest small forwards in league history.
Impact Players
Josh Hall played a crucial role, stretching the floor alongside teammates. His ability to relieve pressure off others allowed the team to maintain momentum and keep the championship dream alive.
As the series progresses, it will be interesting to see if any adjustments are made in the next game.
I’m Mark W. Lamplugh Jr., a visionary Chief Executive Officer, Board Member, and best-selling Author with over 25 years of experience driving significant revenue growth and optimizing ROI across the healthcare, wellness, and media industries. Throughout my career, I’ve consistently transformed underperforming operations into thriving ventures by building top-tier marketing organizations, implementing data-driven strategies, and leading transformational change. My empathetic, collaborative, and adaptable leadership style has allowed me to cultivate inclusive cultures of innovation, develop and retain top talent, and forge strong partnerships that fuel organizational success.
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