Thunder's defense, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander overwhelm Timberwolves in second half to take Game 1 114-88
This felt like so many of Oklahoma City's games during the regular season. In particular, the 68 wins.
The Thunder's elite pressure defense forced 19 turnovers and turned them into 31 points. Oklahoma City's defense took away the paint, giving up just 20 points on 43.5% shooting in the key. The Timberwolves tried to shoot over the top of it and that got them an early lead when they shot 8-of-19 to start the game, but the math caught up with them and Minnesota shot 7-of-32 (21.9%) the rest of the way.
Then came the run. Sparked by that defense, the Thunder took the lead with a 10-0 run using their small-ball lineup in the third quarter. That was stretched out to 17-2 with Kenrich Williams hitting some big shots off the bench. By the start of the fourth, Oklahoma City was up by 10, 76-66, and they pulled away late.
Then Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, after a rough 2-of-13 first half, found his groove, shot 8-of-14 in the second half, drew fouls, and finished with a game-high 31 points.
SGA scored or assisted on 20 points in the 3rd quarter.
The Wolves had 18 points.@LegsESPN break down Shai's play in the 3Q 👀 pic.twitter.com/RE94hD1T56
The result was a comfortable 114-88 win at home, which has Oklahoma City up 1-0 in the Western Conference Finals. Game 2 is Thursday night in the same building.
This defense is why Oklahoma City is the title favorite, holding Anthony Edwards to zero points in the fourth quarter and the Timberwolves team to a 92.6 offensive rating for the game. It's not just that the Thunder have elite defenders like Lu Dort and Alex Caruso, it's their teamwork — they can have two or three players swarming the ball trying to force a turnover, yet still seem not to leave anyone else open. By the end, the swarming defense had the Timberwolves hesitant and second-guessing before making a pass. That defense led to offense.
WHAT a SEQUENCE for the THUNDER ⛈️
Dort defense on one end.
Shai and-1 on the other.
OKC LEADING LATE in GAME 1 of the WEST FINALS on ESPN!! pic.twitter.com/p8qU8x16TK
Also in the second half, the Thunder started to get inside the Timberwolves' stout defense, which led to dunks and open 3-pointers.
It was a rough night for Edwards, who picked up a foolish early technical for tossing the ball at Gilgeous-Alexander.
Anthony Edwards tosses the ball at Shai. 🤣
(h/t @WolvesClips)
pic.twitter.com/X9LsFpcQX4
Later in the first quarter, Edwards went back to the locker room after turning his ankle on a landing. Fortunately, he returned to the floor midway through the second quarter and looked like nothing had happened.
Anthony Edwards went back to the locker room after turning his ankle on this play in Game 1. pic.twitter.com/fcbcsHCMBk
Julius Randle was Minnesota's offense in the first half scoring 20 points and shooting 5-of-6 from 3. Minnesota was an impressive 7-of-17 on above-the-break 3-pointers in the first half, but that dried up after the break. The Timberwolves' defense focused more on Randle, who scored eight points in the second half.
Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren came on in the second half for the Thunder, finishing with 19 and 15 points respectively.
Edwards finished with 18 for Minnesota as only he and Randle scored in double figures.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Fox News
39 minutes ago
- Fox News
2025 NBA Finals MVP odds: Can Gilgeous-Alexander pull off MVP trifecta?
The NBA regular-season MVP will look to pull off the double dip in the Finals. Oklahoma City and Indiana are set to face off in this year's NBA Finals, after each team somewhat breezed through their respective playoff matchups, with both going 12-4 so far in the postseason. Now, the Larry O'Brien Trophy is on the line, as well as the Bill Russell Finals MVP award. Will league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander complete the MVP sweep? Let's check out the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of June 9. 2025 NBA Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: -475 (bet $10 to win $12.11 total)Tyrese Haliburton: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)Pascal Siakam: +1900 (bet $10 to win $200 total)Jalen Williams: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)Chet Holmgren: +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total) SGA is heavily favored to take home the hardware, not only because he is the league MVP, but because his Thunder are heavily favored to win the Finals, at -525. Only once has a player won Finals MVP while playing on the losing team: the Lakers' Jerry West in 1969. In NBA history, 10 players have won both regular-season MVP and Finals MVP. That list includes LeBron James (2012, 2013), Tim Duncan (2003), Shaquille O'Neal (2000), Hakeem Olajuwon (1994), Michael Jordan (1991, 1992, 1996, 1998), Magic Johnson (1987), Larry Bird (1984, 1986), Moses Malone (1983), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1971) and Willis Reed (1970). As noted, Jordan accomplished the feat four times, the most in league history, followed by James and Bird, who both did it twice. However, SGA does have a chance to make some history this year. He could become the first player in NBA history to win regular-season MVP, Western Conference finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP. The Earvin "Magic" Johnson Trophy (West finals MVP) and Larry Bird Trophy (East finals MVP) have only been in existence for four years, meaning the likes of Jordan, Abdul-Jabbar and others from the list above (everyone except James) never had a chance to win it during their playing days. Nikola Jokić came closest to pulling it off in 2023, when he won Western Conference finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP. However, Joel Embiid won regular-season MVP that year. As for other names on the oddsboard, Pascal Siakam was named Eastern Conference finals MVP, meaning he still has a chance to win two MVP awards in one season if his Pacers can pull off the upset — or, if he goes Jerry West-mode. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!


Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Fox Sports
Sports betting roundup: Stanley Cup Final and NBA Finals each at 1-1 headed into Game 3s
Associated Press The Stanley Cup Final and NBA Finals have each played two games, and both series are knotted at a game apiece. In the NHL, the Panthers won a double-overtime game Friday night against the Edmonton Oilers to tie that series at 1-1 heading into Monday's Game 3 in Florida. Both games have gone to overtime. In the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder bounced back from a Game 1 loss to even the series against the Indiana Pacers. Game 3 in that series is Wednesday night in Indianapolis. Trends of the Week After losing Game 1 to Indiana, Oklahoma City was an 11.5-point favorite in Game 2, and they comfortably covered, winning 123-107. At the BetMGM sportsbook, the Thunder took in 70% of the money, but only 37% of the bets. Since 2005, teams to lose as double-digit favorites in the NBA playoffs and be favored by 10 or more points in the next game are now 5-2 against the spread. Oklahoma City ended the first quarter on a 9-0 run to lead 26-20 after 12 minutes. This allowed the 4.5-point first quarter spread to cash, with 91% of the money coming in on the Thunder. Following Edmonton taking Game 1 against Florida, the Oilers were -235 to win the Stanley Cup. Now, with Florida winning Game 2, Florida is a slight favorite to win at -115, with Edmonton coming in at -105. Upset of the Week At the French Open, Coco Gauff (+185) upset Aryna Sabalenka to win the women's title. Only 29% of the money was on Gauff to win. On the men's side, Carlos Alcaraz came back from two sets down against Jannik Sinner to win a second straight French Open title. Alcaraz was +5000 live when he was down to sets. Ryan Fox won for the second time on the PGA Tour this season at the RBC Canadian Open. Fox beat Sam Burns on the fourth playoff hole after both players finished the event at 18 under. He was +5500 in pre-tournament winner betting, and took in only 0.8% of the bets and 1.7% of the money. Coming Up NFL minicamps get underway this week and the Philadelphia Eagles remain the favorites to win the Super Bowl at +650. The Eagles are followed by the Baltimore Ravens at +700, the Buffalo Bills at +750 and the Kansas City Chiefs at +800. The Detroit Lions round out the top five at +1000. ___ This column was provided to The Associated Press by BetMGM online sportsbook. ___ AP sports: recommended


NBC Sports
an hour ago
- NBC Sports
OKC had 'total team effort' in Game 2 vs. Pacers
Oklahoma City Thunder TV analyst Michael Cage joins the Dan Patrick Show to dive into the Thunder's Game 2 victory over the Indiana Pacers and how they showed their identity with a total team effort in the win.