Latest news with #WestFinals
Fox News
3 days ago
- General
- Fox News
Oilers beat Stars, advance to Stanley Cup Final
Edmonton handily beat Dallas 6 to 3 in game five of the West Finals, and will now face the Florida Panthers in a rematch of last year's finals matchup. #NHL #Oilers #Hockey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit Jeffrey Petz
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Timberwolves Fans Heckle "Free Throw Merchant" Shai Gilgeous-Alexander During Game 4 Of NBA West Finals
The OKC Thunder somehow led through the second half despite the Timberwolves shooting 57% from the field. While the Timberwolves struggled with turnovers, they were a lot more efficient from beyond the arc. They shot 47% from beyond the three-point line in the first half. However, the Thunder ensured they kept the lead with a steady flow of offense coming from Jalen Williams (15 points), not just Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. They won the first half 65-57. Gilgeous-Alexander, however, led all scorers with 21 points in the first half. He went to the free throw line six times and made five of them. During a trip to the free-throw line, the Timberwolves fans started chanting "free throw merchant" in unison. This moment was caught on tape by SportsCenter. Gilgeous-Alexander led the league in the regular season for free-throw attempts with 8.8 per game. He apparently claims that his free-throw shooting has come under the microscope only because the Thunder are winning now. In 2022-23, when the Thunder finished as the 10th seed in the West, no one cared that he averaged nearly 11 free throws a game (10.9). Advertisement He seems to enjoy the attention that he is getting from fans due to his ability to reach the free-throw line and get 50-50 calls in his favor. What Others Think About Gilgeous-Alexander's Free-Throw Shooting From opposing coaches to players, almost no team has gone through this season without expressing frustration with the number of fouls Gilgeous-Alexander is able to draw. David Adelman, Michael Malone, Chris Finch, and even Anthony Edwards, almost all the recent opponents of Gilgeous-Alexander, have directly or indirectly called out the favorable whistle he gets from officials, especially during these Playoffs. Even during Game 4, Doris Burke, who has done this on broadcast before as well, called SGA a "free throw merchant" on air. Gilgeous-Alexander recently secured his first Michael Jordan MVP Award over Nikola Jokic, despite the Serbian averaging a triple-double in the season. While some of the discourse may stem from jealousy of that fact, most stems from the truth. Here's a look at the fouls he was able to draw in Game 1 of this West Finals series. It is visible from the video that in at least four of the 13 incidents mentioned, it was Gilgeous-Alexander who either initiated the contact or tripped over nothing and still got a call in his favor. Therefore, it is clear that he has developed a skill to draw fouls. Advertisement Only Giannis Antetokounmpo (12.6) and Donovan Mitchell (9.9) average more free-throw attempts than SGA (9.2) in the Playoffs this season. That's nearly 33% of his 28.7 points per game average in the Playoffs just coming from the free throw line. Do you think this excessive foul drawing has led to a fall in the viewership? Let us know what you think in the comments section. Related: Jaden McDaniels On Shoving Shai Gilgeous-Alexander To The Floor: "I Just Wanted To Foul Him For Real"
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Joins Elite List With Michael Jordan, LeBron James After Game 5 Win In West Finals
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Joins Elite List With Michael Jordan, LeBron James After Game 5 Win In West Finals originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The OKC Thunder have now progressed to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012 after a blowout Game 5 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander secured his first Western Conference Finals MVP award as the Thunder beat the Timberwolves 124-94. Gilgeous-Alexander finished the game with 34 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals. He shot 14 of 25 from the floor (56%) and went 2 of 4 from beyond the three-point line. Advertisement He became one of three NBA players to ever score 30+ points and 5+ assists over 10 times in a single postseason. The other two players on that list are Michael Jordan, who did it in 1989, 1990, and 1992, and LeBron James, who did it in 2015, 2017, and 2018. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged 29.8 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds in 16 games played so far in the postseason. He had 30+ points and 5+ rebounds in all games except twice against the Grizzlies (Games 1 and 2), thrice against the Nuggets (Games 3, 4, and 7), and once against the Timberwolves (Game 3). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Performs Like Michael Jordan For The Second Time This Season This is not the first time Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been named on the same list as Michael Jordan. Following his 40-point masterclass in Game 4, Gilgeous-Alexander became the first MVP since Jordan to have the most 30+ point games in a single season (combining both regular season and playoffs) with 59 30+ point games. Jordan had 50+ 30-point games four times in a single season, namely in 1988 (65), 1991 (59), 1992 (60), and 1996 (55). Advertisement Gilgeous-Alexander was initially tied with Jordan for sixth position on the list, topped by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (67 times), followed by Michael Jordan (65), Bob McAdoo (65), and Wilt Chamberlain (64). Then Jordan's 1992 season features once again on the list before SGA and MJ are tied for the sixth position. Following his 34-point performance in Game 5 of the series, he is now tied for fifth position on the list for most 30-point games in a single season. What LeBron James Thinks Of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander While discussing the mid-range game in the modern NBA with Steve Nash on his Mind the Game podcast, LeBron James spoke highly of Gilgeous-Alexander's style of play. Advertisement "The (shot) creators in our game have always worked on mid-ranges," James said. "The common fan will say there are no mid-ranges in our game. It's just fastbreaks, layups, threes, and free throws. But that's just absolutely not true." Even in the second half of last season, right before the All-Star break, he lauded Shai Gilgeous-Alexander alongside Anthony Edwards and claimed those two can keep the game of basketball alive after James retires. He was asked which young star he was looking forward to playing with the most in the All-Star game last year. "I would say Shai and Ant-Man (Anthony Edwards)," James said. "I feel like those are two of the guys who can continue the torch when I'm done, after Steph (Curry) and KD (Kevin Durant)." Related: Ex-Timberwolves Player Exposes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Pettiness Over Anthony Edwards' Jersey This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Julius Randle Addresses Struggles Following Game 4 Of Timberwolves' WCF Series Against Thunder
Julius Randle seemed to become the Robin to Anthony Edwards' Batman, coming into their series against the Thunder. However, following their 128-126 Game 4 loss to OKC, the Minnesota Timberwolves are on the brink of elimination once again in the back-to-back West Finals. Randle finished the game with 5 points and 5 turnovers in 28 minutes played in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. Following the game, Randle spoke to the media about his struggle to find form against the Thunder. He felt like he was spectating more than playing and needed to find a way to turn that around and be more active in the game. He said: Advertisement "I think it was just a lot me just spectating. I gotta figure out a way to get myself involved in actions." Randle averaged 23.9 points per game coming into this series. He has since then played two games where he scored in single digits. Game 2 and now Game 4, Randle did not show up for the Timberwolves. With all the pressure now on the Timberwolves' shoulders, Randle needs to play his best basketball for them to have any chance. Only 2% of teams facing a seven-game series have come back from a 3-1 deficit. The most recent one was by the Denver Nuggets in 2020 when they came back from 3-1 to beat the Jazz. However, the OKC Thunder are not the Jazz. They did not have an MVP like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to carry their offense. Anthony Edwards-Julius Randle: The Timberwolves' Long-Term Solution? Earlier in the season, when Randle was traded to the Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns, he did not seamlessly fit inside their system. However, Edwards and the coaching staff slowly grew fond of him and saw value in his contributions. From teasing his defensive contributions to outright crediting him for winning games, the evolution of Edwards and Randle as teammates is visible over time. Advertisement By the beginning of the Playoffs, the duo was so close-knit together that NBA Insider Brian Windhorst even compared Randle to a miniature LeBron James alongside Edwards. After the Timberwolves' series with the Warriors, Windhorst said: "He averaged 25, 7, and 7. 6ft 9 point forward, averaging those kinds of numbers, who does that remind you of? How about LeBron James? He's acting like a miniature LeBron James in this postseason, being a force with his size. Being able to be a playmaker, being able to play different roles on offence, and different roles on defence. Creating all kinds of havoc with what he's able to do with the ball while he gets in that triple-threat position. This type of player, next to Ant, is what's taking the Wolves to the next level." Randle may have only shown sparks of what he can do alongside Anthony Edwards, but I highly doubt that the Timberwolves will invest long-term in Randle if his inconsistency costs them yet another chance at the NBA championship. He has a $30.9 million player option available for the 2025-26 season, which he will likely exercise. Beyond which he may not extend with the team if they don't see any value in him. Related: Lonzo Ball Blames Lakers For Disrespecting Julius Randle
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
3 Reasons Why the Minnesota Timberwolves Destroyed the OKC Thunder in Game 3
The Minnesota Timberwolves came into game three of the Western Conference Finals with their backs up against the wall. No team in history has ever come back from a 3-0 NBA playoff deficit, to win four-straight and advance to the next round. It was gut check time for the Wolves, who needed their superstar, Anthony Edwards, to show up in a way he had yet to do during this postseason. It was time for the budding young superstar to spread his wings, put his team on his back, if necessary, and lead them back into this series. How did the Minnesota Timberwolves turn West Finals around in game 3 vs OKC Thunder? Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images The Minnesota Timberwolves team that dropped into OKC for games one and two of this series, they were left in the Oklahoma wilderness to die. And the team that showed up in the Twin Cities Saturday night… well, it was a completely different squad than anything we have seen out of the 2024-25 Wolves. Advertisement Related Headlines Different intensity, different attitude, better focus. And when everyone on the roster is bought in like Ant & Co. were in game three, good things happen. So, here is how the Wolves won game three Saturday night and climbed back into the 2025 Western Conference Finals. 1.) Minnesota Timberwolves came out ready… then never let up After the Thunder took an early 4-0 lead, the Timberwolves fight instinct kicked in. In the blink of an eye, Minnesota was up 16-9, then 21-9, then 25-12… before the final buzzer sounded on the first quarter and the Wolves held a 34-14 lead. From there, the Minnesota Timberwolves never let up. After they knocked the Thunder to the floor with their 1st quarter haymaker, they refused to let them off the mat. In fact, the first half of this game got downright ugly, with Minnesota grabbing a 72-41 halftime lead. Advertisement Of course, OKC came out of the locker room on fire, immediately going on a lightning-fast 11-2 run. Everyone watching knew they weren't going to go all night without a response. But the Minnesota Timberwolves then responded themselves. Related: MN Lynx PoBO Cheryl Reeve was 100% Right About Angel Reese After a Chris Finch timeout to stem the Thunder run, the Wolves went on a 10-0 run of their own and putting them back on top by 30+ points. At that point, it was clear that, in game three, the MN Timberwolves were not going accept defeat. After their hot start, when OKC attempted to fight back, Anthony Edwards and his teammates jumped on top of Shai and his boys, put them in a full mount for most of the next three quarters, and proceeded to hammer punch them in the forehead until the Target Center ring was stained red and OKC head coach Mark Daigneault was forced to prematurely wave the white flag. Minnesota made it throughout game three that OKC had no chance to steal this one on the road. After that initial second half push, Oklahoma City never got back within 30 points. By the 4th quarter, the Thunder B-squad was on the court. Advertisement The surrender came quickly, at the end of the 3rd quarter. And when the dust finally settled at Target Center, it was one of the biggest blowouts in either franchise's postseason history, a 42-point 143-101 Minneapolis curb stomping. 2.) Anthony Edwards answered the call Tonight, Anthony Edwards provided exactly what the Minnesota Timberwolves needed, and he walked onto the court locked in on victory. Ant scored 12 of the Wolves' first 18 points, 15 of their first 25 and 20 overall in the first half. And Ant's teammates responded by shooting the lights out for the first time in nearly two series. Minnesota Timberwolves players not named Anthony Edwards went 6-of-14 from deep in the first half and shot 51% from the field. The Wolves finished 57.3% on the night, as a team, and 20-of-40 from three. Advertisement Edwards' 20 first half points came on 8-of-11 from the field and 3-of-5 from deep. He finished a +36 with 30 points on 12-of-17 shooting from the field and 5-of-8 from deep. Related: Time for Anthony Edwards to Earn His NBA Superstar Label It wasn't just his shot that was falling, though. Anthony Edwards was everywhere tonight in game three, early and often. To go with his 30-piece, Ant posted 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals. I have little doubt that, had the Wolves needed 50 points from Ant tonight, he would have had it for them. Top Wolves (Game 3) MP PTS FG (%) 3PT (%) REB AST +/- A. Edwards 30 30 12/17 (71%) 5/8 (63%) 9 6 +38 J. Randle 30 24 9/15 (60%) 2/5 (40%) 4 3 +28 T. Shannon Jr 13 15 5/8 (63%) 1/3 (33%) 1 2 +11 N. Alexander-Walker 18 12 5/9 (56%) 2/4 (50%) 3 2 +15 J. McDaniels 26 10 3/9 (33%) 2/4 (50%) 6 4 +28 N. Reid 19 10 4/6 (67%) 2/3 (37%) 8 2 +23 3.) Target Center crowd made tangible difference in game 3 The other thing that stood out, while watching tonight's Western Conference Finals game three, was the Target Center crowd. After the Wolves fell behind 2-0 in this series, it was difficult for even the most optimistic Minnesota sports fans to find hope in an unlikely comeback. Advertisement But the vibes at Target Center long before tip-off on Saturday evening quickly wiped that hopelessness away. And even for a team that plays in front of one of the loudest crowds in the NBA, the Thunder looked shell-shocked by just how insane the Minnesota Timberwolves home arena got during that tone-setting (and ear-drum shattering) first quarter run. Honestly, I did not anticipate the Target Center crowd making as big of a difference in game three as it did. Sure, it's loud, but the Thunder played noticeably sloppy and out of character with their execution. Sure, it's probably true that OKC came into this contest over-confident, following their hot start to this series, nobody would argue how much Minnesota's home crowd factored into their inability to recover from that initial knockout punch. Now, we'll see if they can do it again in game four on Monday. Advertisement Related Headlines
