Timberwolves vs. Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC wear down Minnesota to take Game 1 at home

The Oklahoma City Thunder made a strong statement in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, pulling away in the second half for a convincing 114-88 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night. It was a tale of two halves, as Minnesota kept things close early, but the Thunder's depth and defense helped them dominate after halftime.

Timberwolves Start Strong, but Thunder Strike Back

In the first half, the Timberwolves looked sharp. Their defense kept Oklahoma City’s offense in check, holding the Thunder to 44 points. Julius Randle led the way for Minnesota, catching fire from beyond the arc. He scored 20 points in the first two quarters, including 5 three-pointers on just six attempts—a career playoff best for him. The Wolves entered halftime with a 48-44 lead and looked ready to challenge the Thunder on their home court.

But things changed quickly in the second half. Oklahoma City came out with energy and focus, going on a 10-0 run in the third quarter to take control. That run opened up a 14-point lead, and from there, the Thunder never looked back.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Shakes Off Slow Start

Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander struggled in the first half, shooting just 2 for 13 from the field. But he stayed aggressive, getting to the free-throw line early and often. He found his rhythm in the second half, shooting 8 for 14 after the break and finishing with a game-high 31 points. He also added 9 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals in another strong playoff performance.

Despite Minnesota’s efforts to contain him with physical defense and double teams, Gilgeous-Alexander kept attacking. His ability to draw fouls frustrated the Timberwolves, especially Anthony Edwards, who picked up a technical foul after throwing the ball at Gilgeous-Alexander during a tense moment in the first half.

Later, Edwards got called for a personal foul after standing over Gilgeous-Alexander and not letting him get up following a collision. The back-and-forth between the two stars added some spice to what’s shaping up to be a heated series.

Oklahoma City’s Bench Outshines Minnesota’s

One of the biggest differences in Game 1 was the performance of the two benches. Oklahoma City once again showed why they’re considered one of the deepest teams in the league. Eight players came off the Thunder bench and made a positive impact, combining for a remarkable plus-70 in the plus-minus column. They were efficient and focused, especially on defense.

Cason Wallace had a standout performance with 7 assists and a steal in 33 minutes, while Alex Caruso chipped in 9 points and solid defense in 22 minutes. The Thunder bench shot 10 of 16 from the field, helping stretch the lead and control the tempo of the game.

On the other side, Minnesota’s bench struggled badly. Timberwolves reserves shot just 9 of 41 from the floor—a rough 21.9%—and went cold from deep. Naz Reid missed all seven of his 3-point attempts and finished just 1 of 11 from the field. Donte DiVincenzo scored nine points but took 14 shots to get there. Nickeil Alexander-Walker shot 3 of 11, including 2 of 9 from three. As a group, the Timberwolves’ bench combined for a brutal -83 in plus-minus.

Stat Check: Thunder Win Almost Every Category

The numbers tell the story. Oklahoma City outshot Minnesota from everywhere on the court—50% to 34.9% overall, 52.4% to 29.4% from 3-point range, and 80.8% to 71.4% from the free-throw line. The Thunder also took better care of the ball, committing just 12 turnovers compared to 17 by the Timberwolves.

Looking Ahead

Julius Randle finished with 28 points and 8 rebounds, but disappeared in the third quarter when Oklahoma City took over. He attempted just one shot in that period and didn’t hit a 3-pointer after his hot first half. Anthony Edwards added 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists, but the rest of Minnesota’s starters couldn’t get going.

Now down 0-1 in the series, the Timberwolves will need to regroup quickly. Their defense in the first half was solid, but the offense collapsed after halftime. If they hope to even the series, they’ll need better production from the bench and more consistency from their stars.

Game 2 is set for Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET in Oklahoma City. The Thunder have momentum and home-court advantage, but the Timberwolves will be fighting hard to avoid going back to Minnesota in a 2-0 hole.