The Minnesota Timberwolves face elimination tonight as they visit the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. Oklahoma City leads the series 3–1 and has a chance to punch their ticket to the NBA Finals with a win at home.
Game 4 was actually the most competitive of the series, the Thunder maintained a sub-10-point lead for virtually the entire game, though it ended in a narrow 128–126 win for OKC. That’s despite the Timberwolves’ two stars — Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle — managing just 21 points between them.
Despite the defeat, there were encouraging signs from Minnesota. Donte DiVincenzo had his first 20-plus-point game of the playoffs, on 5-8 shooting from downtown.
He, along with Jaden McDaniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, combined for 66 points. If the supporting cast can continue this high-level play and Edwards and Randle return to form, then the Timberwolves have a chance tonight. And they’ll need all cylinders firing to overcome the Thunder juggernaut.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lived up to his MVP honors in Game 4, scoring 40 points. Importantly, Jalen Williams is back in business, adding 34 on Monday night. Tonight’s game will ultimately be decided by which dynamic duo fares better: Edwards and Randle or SGA and Williams.
Minnesota must avoid self-inflicted wounds. They made 21 turnovers — including 10 by Edwards and Randle.
Game 5 will be critical for the Timberwolves to stay alive in the series. But it will also be a test of their young leader, Edwards, and how he responds to a moment like this. He put up 28 points in last year’s Western Conference Finals Game 5 loss to Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals.
Minnesota lost that series 4 games to 1. It’s déjà vu all over again for the 23-year-old Edwards. He’ll need help from Randle to avoid a repeat of last year’s defeat.
Randle has shown inconsistency in this series after a phenomenal run beginning in the late regular season. Expect him to step up tonight, along with Edwards and the rest of the Timberwolves’ supporting cast.
Minnesota will secure a narrow victory tonight, before losing in Game 6 at home on Friday.
Game Prediction: Timberwolves win by 3.
Series Prediction: Thunder in six.
How to Watch Timberwolves vs. Thunder
Tonight’s Timberwolves–Thunder game tips off just after 8:30 PM Eastern. It airs on ESPN and streams live on the ESPN app and website.
Timberwolves vs. Thunder
Date and Time: Wednesday, May 28, 2025, 8:30 PM Eastern
Venue: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app and website, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, YouTube TV
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