Photo Credit: Nathan J. Fish/The OklahomanThe Oklahoma City Thunder took control in the second half, securing a 118-103 win and a commanding 2-0 series lead against the Minnesota Timberwolves in NBA Western Conference Finals on May 23.
Minnesota Timberwolves Top Performers:
Anthony Edwards 32 PTS | 9 REB | 6 AST | 54.8 FPS
Edwards got off to a great start, scoring 16 points in the first half after managing just 18 points in Game 1. He finished with his fourth 30+ point game of this postseason and the fourteenth of his playoff career, making history by surpassing Kevin Garnett for the most playoff points in franchise history. Despite the strong performance, his three-point shooting remains problematic—he went just 1-for-9 today after shooting 3-for-8 in Game 1. He’ll not only need to maintain this scoring production in Game 3 but also improve his efficiency for them to extend the series.
Jaden McDaniels 22 PTS | 2 REB | 3 BLK | 32.4 FPS
McDaniels stepped up on both ends of the floor today. Offensively, he recorded his third playoff game with at least 22 points, while defensively, it was his fourth game with at least three stocks. While McDaniels is capable of these scoring outbursts, he’s unlikely to produce them consistently. His biggest impact remains on the defensive end as the primary defender on SGA. However, the team will need his offense—particularly his three-point shooting—to secure a win in Game 3.
Naz Reid 10 PTS | 8 REB | 2 BLK | 26.6 FPS
Reid recorded his second straight game with 8 rebounds, but his offensive struggles are becoming a concern. He shot a rough 1-for-11 from the field, including 0-for-7 from three in Game 1, and followed it up by going 0-for-5. While he was able to make up for ir on defense, the team will need him to rediscover his offensive game if they hope to take Game 3.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker 17 PTS | 2 REB | 2 AST | 20.4 FPS
NAW provided a big offensive boost, scoring 11 points in the final quarter. He found his rhythm, going 3-for-4 from three-point area after struggling heavily in Game 1. With the team shooting just 28% from three today, they’ll need his scoring and perimeter shooting to improve their chances of winning.
Rudy Gobert 5 PTS | 9 REB | 1 BLK | 20.3 FPS
Gobert was a consistent interior threat against the Warriors but has been less effective in this series. However, he did made a strong impact on the boards today by grabbing 4 offensive rebounds. The Wolves have a slight upperhand in that category and they’ll need him to maintain that performance again for Game 3. However, with his limited offensive game, his numbers may not see much improvement in the coming games.
Oklahoma City Thunder Top Performers:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 38 PTS | 8 AST | 3 STL | 61.6 FPS
SGA delivered an exceptional performance in his first game as an MVP, scoring 19 points in the first half and coming up with clutch plays in the second. He finished with his fifth straight and 58th game this year with at least 30 points. He’s been highly efficient from the field, shooting 57%, but it’s his free-throw production that remains a game-changer. He made 13 free throws today, outscoring the Wolves’ starters, who combined for just 12. He’ll look to keep getting to the line and putting up big numbers, so the Wolves will need to defend more effectively to slow him down.
Jalen Williams 26 PTS | 10 REB | 5 AST | 48.5 FPS
JDub had a hard time against the Nuggets but has been impressive against the Wolves. He’s nearly averaging a 20-point double-double, with 5 assists and 3 steals through the first two games—all while shooting efficiently at 50% and committing no turnovers. He also recorded his fourth playoff game with at least 24 points. If he continues this level of play, the Thunder will be difficult to beat.
Lu Dort 9 PTS | 8 REB | 4 AST | 30.6 FPS
Dort has struggled offensively in the playoffs, with shooting splits of 33/28/71. However, he has remained impactful by contributing in multiple ways, especially on defense. He does all the tough plays for the team and should continue to be a key asset moving forward.
Chet Holmgren 22 PTS | 4 REB | 2 AST | 26.8 FPS
Holmgren continues to struggle from the perimeter going 1-for-6 today but he still finished with his sixth game in the postseason with at least 18 points. Despite that, his overall performance has been modest with minimal contributions in other areas. His defensive numbers have shown a noticeable decline in two games against the Wolves averaging 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 stocks after recording close to 11 rebounds and 3 stocks in seven games against the Nuggets.
Cason Wallace 8 PTS | 3 REB | 4 AST | 23.6 FPS
Wallace hasn’t been very effective on offense this postseason, but he has remained a dependable asset off the bench with his contributions in multiple areas. He should also continue to play a big role on defense moving forward.
Biggest Disappointment of the Game:
Julius Randle 6 PTS | 5 REB | 5 AST
Randle had a phenomenal series against the Warriors, averaging 25 points, and carried that momentum into Game 1 by hitting five threes and recording his third straight game with at least 28 points. However, today was a different story—he shot a brutal 2-for-11, committed four turnovers, and didn’t even play in the fourth quarter. Despite the setback, a bounce-back performance at home should be within reach. Since he’s not making a significant impact on defense in this series, the team will need him to be consistent on offense in order to win a game.
