Thunder seal commanding 2-0 lead over T-Wolves
Thunder seal commanding 2-0 lead over T-Wolves
League MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (#2) celebrates with teammate Chet Holmgren after the win. Photo: Reuters
Newly crowned NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to an imposing 118-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves to open up a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.
Gilgeous-Alexander was presented with his MVP award on court before the game but any suggestions that the celebrations would distract from the task at hand quickly evaporated.
Roared on by a loud and passionate home crowd, the Canadian top-scored for the Thunder with 38 points and added eight assists and three rebounds.
OKC head to Minnesota on the back of their 60th win by double figures this season and in buoyant mood.
The Timberwolves will take some encouragement from a strong showing from Anthony Edwards, who after disappointing in Game One, posted 32 points with six assists and nine rebounds.
But if they are to fight their way back into this series they will need to tighten up their defense, improve on 41.4 percent field-goal shooting and get more out of Julius Randle who was restricted to six points.
Afer a tight first half, the game was won by a blistering third quarter from the Thunder, who outscored Minnesota by 14 points.
A Chet Holmgren alley-oop dunk with 2:54 left in the quarter opened up a 17-point 82-65 lead.
Although the Timberwolves were able to reduce the deficit to 10 points in the fourth, the outcome was never in real doubt.
Jalen Williams had 26 points and 10 rebounds and Holmgren added 22 points for the Thunder.
Gilgeous-Alexander said the team's ability to go on strong runs had its roots in their strong defense.
"It feels good. It starts with getting stops though, it always does. We get stops, we're able to play fast, play to our strengths, play in the open court, be special," he said. (AFP)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Standard
21 hours ago
- The Standard
Defiant Postecoglou proud of Spurs reign despite sacking
Ange Postecoglou endured months of speculation over his future as Spurs spluttered through their dismal domestic campaign. (Reuters)
RTHK
a day ago
- RTHK
Sinner sets up Alcaraz showdown in Paris
Sinner sets up Alcaraz showdown in Paris Novak Djokovic's dream of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title is over, for now. Photo: AFP World number one Jannik Sinner defeated record-chasing Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(3) in a clash of generations on Friday to set up a blockbuster French Open final showdown with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. Playing a younger, modern version of himself, the 38-year-old Djokovic looked every bit his age for a while on Court Philippe Chatrier as Sinner used his blistering forehand to send the Serbian chasing the ball left, right and centre. But the former Serbian world number one, chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title, showed he thrived on the grandest stage and threatened a comeback only to miss three set points in the third. The Italian, who recently came back from a doping ban, stood firm in the tiebreak and wrapped up the contest on his second match point. He will face a sterner test in Sunday's final against Alcaraz, who composed himself after a slow start before charging into back-to-back French Open finals when eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti retired with a left thigh injury while trailing 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-0, 2-0. Alcaraz is attempting to become only the third man to retain his Roland Garros title this century after Rafa Nadal and Gustavo Kuerten. (Reuters)
RTHK
a day ago
- RTHK
I may have been my last French Open match: Djokovic
I may have been my last French Open match: Djokovic Djokovic suggested after his semi-final loss that this may have been his last match at the French Open. Photo: Reuters Novak Djokovic said he may have played his last French Open match after losing to Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals on Friday. The 24-time Grand Slam champion lost 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) to the world number one to miss out on a final against Carlos Alcaraz. "This could have been the last match ever I played here, so I don't know," said the 38-year-old Djokovic. "I don't know really what tomorrow brings in a way at this point in my career. You know, I'm going to keep on keeping on." He will next bid for a record-breaking 25th major title at Wimbledon, which gets under way on June 30. "Obviously Wimbledon is next, which is my childhood favourite tournament," Djokovic, now the world number six, added. "I'm going to do everything possible to get myself ready. I guess my best chances maybe are Wimbledon, to win another Slam, or faster hard court, maybe Australia or something like that." (AFP)
