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The 2025 NBA Western Conference finals have begun, with the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder hosting the No. 6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday night. The Thunder currently lead the series 1-0.
Coming off a Game 7 victory that eliminated the Denver Nuggets in the second round, the Thunder secured a decisive 114-88 win against the Timberwolves in Tuesday’s Game 1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 31 points, including 20 scored in the second half. Jalen Williams contributed 19 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, while Chet Holmgren added 15 points and seven rebounds.
It was the Thunder’s defense that kept the Timberwolves at bay, forcing 19 turnovers and compelling Minnesota to take shots from outside the paint.
Here is how to watch Game 2 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 19 points for the Thunder in the first half after shooting 6-for-9 from the field and 6-for-6 from the free throw line. He also added four assists, three rebounds and two steals.
The Thunder and Timberwolves were tied at 45 with 4:34 left in the second quarter before OKC began to pull away with six unanswered points.
Jalen Williams added 10 points and five defensive rebounds in the first half for OKC.
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists. He went 7-of-18 from the field and 1-for-7 from the 3-point line.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren each scored eight points for the Thunder in the first quarter. Gilgeous-Alexander went 3-for-3 from the field and 2-for-2 from the free throw line. Anthony Edwards had eight points and six rebounds for the Timberwolves.
Lu Dort gave referee Scott Foster a bloody nose – accidentally.
During a jump ball between Oklahoma City’s Lu Dort and Minnesota’s Julius Randle, Dort’s hand hit Foster’s face as Dort tried to control the jump with 10:23 left in the first quarter. The blood rule dictated a stoppage, and training staff helped Foster control the bleeding with a towel.
A couple of minutes later, the game resumed with Foster on the court with fellow refs Tony Brothers and Pat Fraher. There is an alternate ref (JB DeRosa) on-site if needed.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was presented the 2024-25 Most Valuable Player award before Game 2 by NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert will start Game 2 for the Timberwolves tonight.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein make up the Thunder’s starting lineup for Game 2 against the Timberwolves.
Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards had a bland 18 points on 13 shot attempts in OKC’s Game 1 victory. The Thunder’s top-ranked defense was part of that, but Edwards is capable of working through that and finding more points. Minnesota needs more from him in the series.
“He’s prepared to be super aggressive every single night,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “I thought he did a good job the other day of finding his teammates. We’ve got to knock down some of those shots. But there are opportunities for him to be more aggressive for himself. That’s how he’s wired anyway, so it usually never takes much to recalibrate.”
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was emotional and appreciative in accepting his MVP award Wednesday. He credited several people — his wife, family and Thunder staffers, including OKC coach Mark Daigneault. When asked before Game 2 about his role in Gilgeous-Alexander’s development, Daigneault deflected.
“It was a nice moment of reflection for a lot of people,” Daigneault said. “Just sitting there watching him, I’m like, ‘Man, I remember when he was scrawny kid on his first contract in the bubble. Now this guy’s a man, a father, a husband, a leader. He also showed a side of himself that we see every day. He let everybody in on that in a very proud moment for him. So I couldn’t happier for him.”
What time is Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder?
Game 2 of the NBA’s Western Conference final series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder gets underway at 8:30 p.m. ET.
How to watch Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: TV, stream
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Paycom Center; Oklahoma City
- TV: ESPN
- Stream: ESPN+, Fubo
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got off to a great start. He kept playing like an MVP, and Oklahoma City kept winning.
The Thunder finished 68-14 and earned the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, and Gilgeous-Alexander is one of three finalists for MVP after averaging a league-best and career-high 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks and shooting 51.9% from the field, 37.5% on 3-pointers and 89.8% on free throws. No guard attempted more free throws per game (8.8) and he led the league in free throws made per game (7.9).
An All-Star and first-team All-NBA guard who is the best player on the best team deserves the MVP.
That’s Gilgeous-Alexander. Read why Jeff Zillgitt thinks SGA deserved the award here.
Editor’s note: The NBA MVP award is voted on by 100 members of the media, chosen by the league. Voting takes place before the postseason. USA TODAY Sports reporter Jeff Zillgitt has a vote.
USA TODAY Sports experts made predictions ahead of the series:
Timberwolves vs. Thunder series winner
- Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder in seven
- Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder in six
- Heather Tucker: Thunder in six
- James H. Williams: Thunder in six
- Jordan Mendoza: Timberwolves in six
- Scooby Axson: Thunder in six
- Cydney Henderson: Thunder in seven
