The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight at Paycom Center for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
Expect tonight to be a close battle. Minnesota and Oklahoma City split their regular-season series 2–2, with the Timberwolves winning the final game 131–128 in overtime.
Rest or rust may make the difference.
The Thunder, the West’s top seed, are coming off a hard-fought seven-game series against the Denver Nuggets. The Timberwolves, seeded sixth, have been sitting pretty for nearly a week after defeating the Golden State Warriors in five games.
For the Timberwolves, this is familiar territory — they’re making their second consecutive conference finals appearance, but with a revamped lineup after the trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to New York in exchange for Julius Randle.
Two other factors may prove to be critical tonight: offensive tandems and defense.
After a messy start, Randle has paired perfectly with Anthony Edwards. Randle has emerged as a steady scoring option and secondary playmaker, averaging 23.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game in the playoffs. Edwards is averaging 26.5 points per game in the postseason.
Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is having a prolific playoffs for the Thunder, averaging 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game. During the regular season, he averaged 35 points per game against Minnesota. But Jalen Williams has been a laggard in the postseason. His 24-point performance in Game 7 against the Nuggets, however, may signal he’s breaking out of his funk.
Tonight’s matchup features two of the best defenses in the playoffs. Oklahoma City leads all playoff teams in defensive rating, allowing just 101.6 points per 100 possessions. Minnesota is second, holding opponents to 106.8.
Rudy Gobert could be a difference-maker, anchoring the Timberwolves’ defense. But watch out for the Thunder’s perimeter defense — the league’s best — and whether it can shut down the Timberwolves’ three-point shooting.
Expect tonight to go to the Thunder.
Series Prediction: Thunder in seven.
How to Watch Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Tonight’s Timberwolves-Thunder game tips off just after 8:30 PM Eastern. The game airs live on ESPN and streams on the ESPN app and website, as well as FuboTV.
Timberwolves vs. Thunder
Date and Time: Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 8:30 PM Eastern
Venue: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app and website, FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, YouTube TV
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