Thunder Dominate Timberwolves, Take 2-0 West Finals Lead/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 118-103 win over the Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. One day after receiving the NBA MVP award, he scored 38 points in a commanding performance. Oklahoma City now holds a 2-0 series lead heading into Game 3 in Minneapolis.
Thunder’s Game 2 Win + Quick Looks
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 38, fresh off MVP announcement.
- Thunder lead series 2-0 after 118-103 Game 2 victory.
- Jalen Williams (26 pts, 10 rebs) and Chet Holmgren (22 pts) shine.
- Lu Dort and Williams named All-Defensive Teams, fueling defensive dominance.
- Thunder hold Timberwolves to 41.4% shooting from the field.
- Anthony Edwards scores 32, but struggles with efficiency (26 shots).
- Minnesota closed gap late, but OKC held strong in fourth.
- Game 3 Saturday in Minneapolis, where Timberwolves are 4-1 this postseason.
Thunder Dominate Timberwolves 118-103, Take 2-0 West Finals Lead
Deep Look
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander followed up his MVP coronation with a brilliant Game 2 performance, scoring 38 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 118-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night. With the win, the Thunder seized a commanding 2-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals.
A day after receiving the league’s highest individual honor, Gilgeous-Alexander delivered under pressure. He converted 12 of 21 field goals and made 13 of 15 free throws, anchoring a well-rounded Oklahoma City effort that combined elite shot-making with stifling defense.
“I was definitely emotional, probably a little too hyped early on,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after the game. “But getting the win made this moment even more special. Now I can soak in the MVP and enjoy it the right way.”
The pre-game ceremony saw NBA Commissioner Adam Silver present the MVP trophy to Gilgeous-Alexander in front of a roaring crowd at Paycom Center. The emotional high only seemed to elevate his game.
Jalen Williams backed up the MVP with a double-double of 26 points and 10 rebounds, while rookie Chet Holmgren contributed 22 points, providing a strong interior presence on both ends.
The Thunder’s defense, a hallmark of their playoff run, shined again. Lu Dort, recently named to the NBA’s All-Defensive First Team, and Williams, named to the Second Team, helped hold the Timberwolves to just 41.4% shooting from the field.
“When we play together and have fun, the individual accolades follow,” Gilgeous-Alexander noted, crediting the team’s cohesion and commitment to winning.
Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 32 points but struggled to find rhythm, needing 26 shots to get there. Jaden McDaniels added 22, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker chipped in 17, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace with Oklahoma City’s offensive burst.
The Thunder gained separation late in the first half after Gilgeous-Alexander knocked down a deep three and added a pair of free throws in the final seconds, giving OKC a 58-50 halftime advantage.
Minnesota coach Chris Finch lamented the finish to the second quarter. “We didn’t close the half well, and that really tilted momentum. That last minute hurt us going into the third,” Finch said.
Oklahoma City capitalized, opening the third quarter with a scoring surge. One of the night’s highlights came when Gilgeous-Alexander was fouled by his cousin, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, on a driving shot that banked in, extending the Thunder lead. Soon after, a fast-break lob from Cason Wallace to Holmgren for a thunderous dunk put OKC up 82-65. The home team ended the third quarter ahead 93-71.
The Timberwolves made a late push in the fourth, trimming the deficit to 10, but the Thunder’s composure and depth sealed the win.
Despite the setback, Finch remained optimistic as the series shifts to Minnesota for Game 3. “Every minute in a series is a chance to adjust,” Finch said. “We’re going home, and we’re tough at home. We’ll fight.”
The Timberwolves are 4-1 at Target Center in the playoffs and will hope a return to their home court can help them shift the momentum of the series. Game 3 is set for Saturday, with all eyes on how Minnesota responds—and whether the red-hot Gilgeous-Alexander can be contained.
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