Anthony Edwards and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lead their teams into the Western Conference Finals, pitting the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Both teams historically lack Finals experience, but with Edwards topped stars like Kevin Durant and LeBron James recently, he faces a significant challenge against Gilgeous-Alexander. The series promises strong defensive play, as both teams excel at protecting the rim. Key players include Julius Randle for the Wolves and Chet Holmgren for the Thunder, whose homecoming adds excitement. Predictions favor the Thunder in six, citing depth and consistent play as crucial factors in this matchup.
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Anthony Edwards has been making waves in the NBA for a year. Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander next on his list?
All the legacy franchises are either basking in the sun or re-evaluating their strategies. In their absence, the Western Conference will be decided by two teams with a total of one NBA Finals appearance in their history. In about two weeks, they’ll double that tally.
This shift was bound to happen, and the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves arrive eager and poised for the conference finals. Crucially, they feature Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards, the torchbearers for the upcoming generation of stars. It’s likely they’ll contend for the Magic Johnson trophy, awarded annually to the most outstanding player of the Western Conference Finals.
The Timberwolves split their regular-season series 2-2 with OKC, a notable feat considering OKC’s 68 wins. Gilgeous-Alexander recorded scoring games of 37, 39, and 40 in three of the four matchups; however, adjustments are typical in the playoffs.
Thus, we have a series. Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, and Jaden McDaniels team up with Edwards to face off against Jalen Williams, Lu Dort, and Chet Holmgren. Shai will face off against his cousin, Nickeil Alexander-Walker. This should be intriguing.
Series schedule
Here’s how to catch the Thunder vs. Timberwolves series:
All times in Eastern Standard Time
- Game 1: Timberwolves vs. Thunder; Tues., May 20 (8:30 ET, ESPN)
- Game 2: Timberwolves vs. Thunder; Thurs., May 22 (8:30 ET, ESPN)
- Game 3: Thunder vs. Timberwolves; Sat., May 24 (8:30 ET, ABC)
- Game 4: Thunder vs. Timberwolves; Mon., May 26 (8:30 ET, ESPN)
- Game 5: Timberwolves vs. Thunder; Wed., May 28 (8:30 ET, ESPN)*
- Game 6: Thunder vs. Timberwolves; Fri., May 30 (8:30 ET, ESPN)*
- Game 7: Timberwolves vs. Thunder; Sun., June 1 (8 ET, ESPN)*
* = If necessary
Top storyline
Emerging stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards clash in the Western Conference Finals.
Edwards on a mission. When was the last time such a young star was so determined to overcome the NBA’s legends? Displayed prominently in his home are the “trophies” of renowned greats — Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokić, LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and, fresh from the taxidermist, Stephen Curry.
These are the elite players Edwards has taken down in the past year. Next in line? Gilgeous-Alexander, which poses a tougher challenge, as the Thunder guard has more support than most (if not all) of those opponents. After all — he’s exceptionally talented.
This in-game rivalry promises to bring high-energy and intense competition, driven by the pride each player holds. They aspire to be the best, the face of the NBA. This series might just determine who holds that title.
What to watch
Defense wins games. For fans who appreciate double-teams, rapid rotations, rim protection, and intense on-ball pressure, this series is a must-watch. These two teams are the best defenders remaining in the postseason. One can confidently predict that the 2025 Western Conference Finals will not become a shooting extravaganza, and nobody will exceed 130 points.
Nonetheless, expect Gilgeous-Alexander, Edwards, or Randle to drop a 30-point game or two. The three are on fire, and it’s tough to contain offensive creativity for long. However, those scorers will have to earn their points. They won’t come easy.
OKC enjoyed top defensive rankings all season long, while Minnesota excels at defense. The Timberwolves will also seek to dictate the tempo. First team to 100 wins. Well: okay – 115.
1 key aspect to scrutinize for each team
For Thunder. This marks a homecoming for Holmgren, a Minneapolis native. At 6-foot-9 and as slender as spaghetti, he averaged 6.2 points and three rebounds per game in high school as a freshman. Since then, both his height and stats have soared, even if his weight hasn’t.
Holmgren can pose a challenge for the Wolves with his wingspan, ability to stretch the floor, quickness, and rim protection. His drive to impress his hometown makes him a potential X-factor. Don’t underestimate the player shaped like a pencil; he’s poised for a breakout.
For Timberwolves. Randle is currently in the best segment of his career. While he may not be the Wolves’ top player in the playoffs, he’s certainly the most crucial. Without his consistent postseason contributions — 23.9 points, 5.9 assists, 5.9 rebounds through 10 games — Minnesota may not have advanced this far.
This first postseason experience for Minnesota is a win-win for both the team and Randle. He has effectively atoned for his past playoff shortcomings, where he was either too injured or ineffective during his time with the Knicks. Fans there never let him forget it. In contrast, Wolves fans are cheering him on, and that’s music to his ears.
Julius Randle scores 29 points as Minnesota defeats Golden State 121-110 in Game 5 to earn a spot in the West Finals.
1 key statistic to note
8.7 — The Thunder outscored their opponents by 8.7 points per game in the restricted area, showcasing the best restricted-area differential in the playoffs, including a 54-32 advantage in their Game 7 victory over the Nuggets on Sunday.
The Oklahoma City defense is renowned for forcing turnovers, yet it was also the best at rim protection during the regular season. In road games*, the Thunder ranked first in limiting their opponents’ shots from the restricted area (23%) and second in opponent field goal percentage (63.1%) at the rim. These figures have improved in the postseason.
(* Exc ludes shot-location disparities across different arenas.)
The Wolves hold the second-best restricted-area differential in the playoffs, outscoring their opponents by 7.4 points per game at the rim, including a 62-30 advantage when they eliminated the Warriors in Game 5 of the conference semis. Approximately 33% of the Wolves’ shots, the highest rate in the postseason, have been taken in the restricted area.
Even as teams launch more 3-pointers than ever, the best opportunities remain at the rim. This battle will likely begin there.
— John Schuhmann
The prediction
Thunder in six. Both teams are well-equipped for a showdown: OKC with its 68 wins and a Kia MVP hopeful, and Minnesota as the hottest squad in the West. However, the Wolves’ starting lineup must perform at their peak every game — their bench depth doesn’t match up. OKC will wear down opponents and eventually exhaust them.
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for over 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here, and follow him on X.
The views expressed on this page do not necessarily represent the opinions of the NBA, its clubs, or Warner Bros. Discovery.