SGA Leads Thunder to Playoff Win vs. Timberwolves | NBA Playoffs
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander propelled the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 114-88 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of their NBA Western Conference finals series.
- Minnesota's Julius Randle dominated the first half, scoring 20 points and helping his team take a 48-44 lead into halftime.
- The Thunder's improved aggression and trust in their game plan proved crucial in overcoming their initial struggles.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s dominant 31-point performance fueled the Oklahoma City Thunder‘s decisive victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the playoffs. The Thunder overcame a sluggish start, thanks to SGA’s second-half surge, proving why he’s a top MVP candidate. Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with 20 first-half points, but OKC’s adjustments and late-game execution propelled them to a commanding win on their home court. This critical playoff win sets a strong precedent for the Thunder as thay chase the Western Conference title. News Directory 3 has comprehensive coverage of every key moment. The Thunder’s focus now shifts to Game 2 on Friday. Discover what’s next as the series unfolds.
Gilgeous-Alexander Leads thunder to Victory Over Timberwolves
Updated May 28, 2025
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander propelled the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 114-88 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of their NBA Western Conference finals series. Despite a slow start, the Thunder, led by Gilgeous-alexander’s impressive performance, secured the win on their home court.
Minnesota’s Julius Randle dominated the first half, scoring 20 points and helping his team take a 48-44 lead into halftime. However,the Thunder found their rhythm after the break. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 20 of his 31 points in the final two quarters, spearheading the Thunder’s comeback and showcasing why he is an MVP candidate. He also contributed five rebounds and nine assists.
The Thunder’s improved aggression and trust in their game plan proved crucial in overcoming their initial struggles. The team’s ability to make adjustments and capitalize on opportunities ultimately led to their success in securing the first game of the series. This initial win provides a solid foundation as they pursue the NBA Western Conference finals title.
“Honestly we were a bit rusty in the first half but we shouldn’t be,” Gilgeous-Alexander told ESPN. “We were missing layups, free throws. We just needed to keep being aggressive and trust our work.”
Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized the importance of continued adjustments throughout the series. He acknowledged that both teams would adapt their strategies as the series progresses, highlighting the need for the Thunder to remain focused and prepared for the challenges ahead. This victory marks gilgeous-Alexander’s fourth consecutive game scoring 30 or more points.
“Game ones are feel-out games. In game two they’re going to make adjustments and we’re going to have adjustments. It’s a series and it’s best-of-seven, not first to one,” Gilgeous-Alexander added. “It’s a good start but there’s a lot more work to do.”
What’s next
The Thunder will host the Timberwolves again on Friday for Game 2.Oklahoma City aims to build on their momentum and take a 2-0 lead in the series.