Player grades: After MVP trophy, SGA leads Thunder to 118-103 Game 2 win over Timberwolves

USA Today

23-05-2025

Player grades: After MVP trophy, SGA leads Thunder to 118-103 Game 2 win over Timberwolves
OKLAHOMA CITY — As Nickeil Alexander-Walker went to double Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams received a quick bounce pass and swished in a catch-and-shoot right-wing 3-pointer. The outside bucket was the dagger as the OKC crowd celebrated the final two minutes.
The Oklahoma City Thunder enjoyed a 118-103 Game 2 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. They're now up 2-0 in the Western Conference Finals. Both victories demonstrated the large gap between the rosters.
After Gilgeous-Alexander received his MVP trophy from NBA commissioner Adam Silver, the Thunder rolled the momentum into the game. The offense hummed along as they had a 29-25 lead after the first quarter. While you're happy with the lead, it likely could've been larger if they hit on their outside looks.
Eventually, the math helped the Timberwolves. They were awful from within the perimeter. But some outside shooting luck from role players kept them in it. The Thunder scored 29 points in the second frame and a strong finish created a 58-50 halftime lead.
Then, the Thunder's signature avalanche rolled along. They completely shut down Minnesota's offense. The outside shots didn't fall at the same clip anymore. A 25-8 OKC run turned this from a back-and-forth contest into a lopsided affair.
Gilgeous-Alexander stole the ball before Cason Wallace threw a daring lob to Chet Holmgren that peaked the OKC crowd noise. The Thunder outscored the Timberwolves in the third frame by 35-21. They entered the fourth quarter with a 93-71 lead.
The MVP winner had 30 points through three quarters. Mind you, this is the Western Conference Finals. Not a random December game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards kept his word of shooting more, but the raw point total wasn't at an efficient rate that could've altered the game.
The Timberwolves made it interesting with a late push. They cut the Thunder's 24-point lead to 10 points a couple of times. But that was the closest Minnesota would get in its 32-point frame. While this game never devolved into garbage time, most understood what the final result would likely be.
The Thunder shot 50% from the field and went 9-of-33 (27.3%) from 3. They shot 19-of-24 on free throws. They had 30 assists on 45 baskets. Three Thunder players scored double-digit points.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with an efficient 38 points. Williams had a near 26-point triple-double. Holmgren scored 22 points.
Meanwhile, the Timberwolves shot 41% from the field and went 11-of-39 (28.2%) from 3. They shot 20-of-26 on free throws. They had 20 assists on 36 baskets. Four Timberwolves players scored double-digit points.
Edwards finished with 32 points on 12-of-26 shooting, nine rebounds and six assists. Jaden McDaniels had 22 points. Alexander-Walker scored 17 points. Naz Reid had 10 points and eight rebounds.
Through two games, the Thunder have outclassed the Timberwolves in about every way possible. It's still early in the series, but the former looks pretty sitting atop with a 2-0 series lead. Gilgeous-Alexander has easily been the best player, while Williams and Holmgren have stepped up. They now travel to Minnesota with all the confidence.
Let's look at Thunder player grades:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: A-plus
Any concerns with Gilgeous-Alexander being too consumed by his MVP achievement were quickly squashed. All the glitz and glamor didn't affect him on the hardwood. Even with Silver and the rest of the NBA world in attendance, the 26-year-old showed why he's one of the best players.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 38 points on 12-of-21 shooting, eight assists and three rebounds. He shot 1-of-2 from 3 and went 13-of-15 on free throws. He also had five steals.
Nobody on the Timberwolves can stop Gilgeous-Alexander. They threw everything and still couldn't slow him down. He made the Western Conference Finals look like a walk in the park. There was no fooling around in this one. The drive-heavy scorer attacked the basket with a sprinkle of mid-range jumpers.
All Minnesota could do was foul. Gilgeous-Alexander had a busy night at the free-throw line. Frustration boiled over for McDaniels to the point he shoved the MVP winner to the ground and received a flagrant foul. All you could do was smile as the Timberwolves resorted to anger.
What Gilgeous-Alexander has done over the last three seasons has desensitized folks who've watched it every other night for nine months. But with the MVP trophy finally in his hands, it's nice to zoom out and just take in the history we're seeing unfold. He is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history at the top of his craft.
2️⃣ with the moves 🤌 pic.twitter.com/Cv8LPV1teh — OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 23, 2025
He'll take that 2️⃣ go@OGandE Power Play of the Game pic.twitter.com/vT7g9YDE1R — OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 23, 2025
Jalen Williams: A-plus
Stealing the ball away from Edwards, Williams dribbled behind his back before he passed it out to Holmgren. While his teammate missed at the rim, it gave the 24-year-old another chance at a highlight play with a second-chance and-one layup.
Williams finished with 26 points on 12-of-20 shooting, 10 rebounds and five assists. He shot 2-of-6 from 3 and 0-of-1 on free throws. He also had a steal.
So far in the Western Conference Finals, Williams has played like somebody who's a good-enough second option to capture a championship. He sliced through Minnesota's zone defense with special shot-making. The 24-year-old got into a groove with his jumper.
As the Timberwolves hoped to make a comeback, Williams kept them behind with 11 points in the fourth quarter. He played the co-closer role well with Gilgeous-Alexander. If the Thunder continue to get this type of efficient production from their second All-Star while playing stellar Swiss Army knife defense, then the title is theirs to lose.
Let him cook ♨️ pic.twitter.com/uVVdssYg0m — OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 23, 2025
Bringing the energy with us from end to end 🔋 pic.twitter.com/uoptkZUX1E — OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 23, 2025
Chet Holmgren: A-plus
Navigating through Donte DiVincenzo's contest, Holmgren threw down the one-handed slam. The seven-footer yelled his lungs out and turned around to yell at the Minnesota role player's face. He was given a technical foul but it was well worth it.
Holmgren finished with 22 points on 8-of-17 shooting, four rebounds and two assists. He shot 1-of-6 from 3 and went 5-of-6 on free throws.
This was the best Holmgren has looked in all the playoffs. The paint finishes have looked the best since he returned from his hip fracture. Whether through finesse finishes with spin moves or cleaning up his teammates' misses or being a lob threat, the seven-footer has given OKC a new dimension to its offense.
The Thunder have rendered Rudy Gobert obsolete through two playoff games. One of the greatest defenders in NBA history can't slow them down at the rim. OKC got whatever it wanted inside the paint. Holmgren played a huge role in that.
Pair that with Holmgren's rim protection, the Thunder's best bet might be to play the 23-year-old at center when they play their second-unit lineup. It's been an effective strategy so far. He's a mismatch nightmare for Minnesota's frontcourt.
L👀k at that pass pic.twitter.com/X3FoTicd8L — OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 23, 2025
Send this to your friends...everyone needs to see this https://t.co/DReMPTJYpV pic.twitter.com/EgLNX2iaGu — OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 23, 2025
We'll be watching this lob over and over and over again 😌
More angles for you ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/8wk66aA5DS — OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 23, 2025
Lu Dort: B
At this point, the Timberwolves might need to spam switches for Edwards. The Minnesota superstar has had two subpar performances for polar opposite reasons. Game 1 saw him fade into the background. Game 2 saw him be an inefficient scorer.
Won't be impossible, but it'll be difficult for Edwards to turn his fortunes. That's what happens when you have Dort as your primary defender. Hours after being named to an All-Defensive First Team, he showed voters why they made the right call.
Dort finished with nine points on 3-of-9 shooting, eight rebounds and four assists. He shot 2-of-7 from 3 and went 1-of-2 on free throws. He also had two steals.
The outside shot has been streaky, but the one-on-one defense remains consistent. As Alex Caruso eventually fouled out, Dort was given the Edwards assignment himself. He delivered and extinguished any hopes of a comeback as the Thunder cruised to a win.
Loud City was lovin' this one 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/Erg5TUznoG — OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 23, 2025
Highlights: