The OKC Thunder will face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals of the NBA Playoffs.
No. 1-seeded OKC advanced with a 4-3 series win over the No. 4 Denver Nuggets. Meanwhile, No. 6 Minnesota advanced with a 4-1 series win over the No. 7 Golden State Warriors.
OKC and Minnesota split their four meetings in the regular season. Now, the two teams are facing each other once again with a trip to the NBA Finals on the line this time around.
Here’s a complete breakdown of the Thunder-Timberwolves matchup:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards are two superstars in the backcourt.
Gilgeous-Alexander will be hounded by Jaden McDaniels, an elite defender with great size and length. Edwards will be smothered by Lu Dort, another elite defender with great strength and effort.
Buckets will have to be earned by both Edwards and Gilgeous-Alexander. Still, I have more faith in the latter to deliver.
Gilgeous-Alexander led the league in points per game during the regular season (32.7), and he has stepped up in big moments these playoffs.
I expect Gilgeous-Alexander to be the best player in this series, and Dort also gets the edge over the older Mike Conley. Point, OKC.
Edge: Thunder
I probably would’ve gone with OKC in this department during the regular season. But when it comes to these playoffs, I’m giving the slight edge to Minnesota.
Julius Randle is playing incredible postseason basketball. He’s averaging 23.9 points and 5.9 assists on 50.9% shooting from the field this postseason, and he has arguably been Minnesota’s best player on some nights.
Then there’s McDaniels, who has expanded his offensive game to become a true two-way threat. And while his minutes have declined recently, Rudy Gobert is still one of the league’s best rim-protecting centers.
OKC has plenty of talent in the frontcourt as well. Atop that list is Jalen Williams, but the All-Star forward hasn’t been very consistent lately as he continues to play through a nagging wrist injury.
The Thunder also boasts two 7-footers in Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, who can cause problems on both ends of the floor. But I’m still going with Randle and the Timberwolves’ frontcourt, which is entering this series with a bit more momentum.
Edge: Timberwolves
Both teams have no shortage of bench weapons.
Alex Caruso has changed the momentum of some games for OKC these playoffs thanks to his disruptive defense. The same can be said for Cason Wallace and Jaylin Williams.
Then there’s Minnesota’s bench, which is led by Naz Reid. The former Sixth Man of the Year winner is shooting 46.7% from deep these playoffs, and he’s joined by two more spark plugs in Donte DiVincenzo and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
I’m going with OKC’s bench, though. In addition to having multiple standout defenders, the group has also provided some much-needed floor spacing.
OKC’s is only shooting 31.9% from deep these playoffs. But Jaylin Williams is shooting 42.9%, Caruso is shooting 41.7% and Isaiah Joe is shooting 38.2%.
Edge: Thunder
Both coaches deserve plenty of praise.
OKC dealt with numerous injuries to key players such as Jalen Williams, Holmgren, Hartenstein and Caruso during the regular season. But Mark Daigneault still found winning lineup combinations and led the Thunder to its best record in franchise history (68-14).
Chris Finch also had to make adjustments following the departure of Karl-Anthony Towns. But he integrated new pieces such as Randle and DiVincenzo, and he has now led Minnesota to its second straight Western Conference Finals appearance.
It’s another close call, but I’m giving the nod to Daigneault.
His ability to lead OKC to the most dominant regular season in NBA history (based on point differential) despite a plethora of injuries is nothing short of stellar coaching. That was recognized when he finished fourth in Coach of the Year voting this season.
Edge: Thunder
After falling to Dallas in the Western Conference semifinals last season, OKC made it out of the second round this time by beating Denver.
It’s a huge step forward for the Thunder, which is still gaining vital experience. It entered this season as the youngest team in the NBA.
OKC will be the less-experienced team once again in this matchup. It’s in the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2016, while Minnesota reached this stage last season and returns all but one starter from that team.
To OKC’s credit, it has been a quick learner. After suffering late collapses in Game 1 and Game 3 against Denver, it showed more composure throughout the rest of the series.
Still, the Thunder’s lack of experience this deep into the playoffs is a disadvantage. Point, Timberwolves.
Edge: Timberwolves
Justin Martinez covers sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @JTheSportsDude. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
