The Minnesota Timberwolves return to Target Center tonight for Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder 0–2 in the series.
Minnesota finds itself both overmatched and overwhelmed. The Thunder have outclassed the Timberwolves in nearly every aspect through two games, winning by an average margin of 20.5 points.
Oklahoma City’s balance, defensive pressure, and relentless pace have exposed the Timberwolves’ inconsistency — but this series isn’t over yet.
Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards have yet to click on the same night, which has limited Minnesota’s chances. Randle carried the load in Game 1 with 28 points while Edwards struggled with just 18. In Game 2, Edwards responded with 32 points, but Randle vanished — scoring just six on 2-of-11 shooting. This dip is surprising considering Randle had averaged 28 points on 57% shooting over his previous four playoff games.
Expect Randle to bounce back at home. But for Minnesota to stay alive, he’ll have to limit turnovers and control the pace — something that’s difficult against a Thunder team that thrives on forcing mistakes and turning them into fast-break points.
Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo are a combined 7 of 33 in this series, averaging 7.0 and 8.5 points per game in this series, respectively.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to look like the best player left in the playoffs. The MVP runner-up is averaging 34.5 points through two games in this series.
But it’s his consistency that is perhaps the most impressive. SGA has scored under 25 points just twice all postseason — one of those during a 51-point blowout when he only played 23 minutes. Gilgeous-Alexander is almost a lock to top 30 again tonight.
Jalen Williams has returned to form for the Thunder. After disappearing for much of the series with the Denver Nuggets, Williams is averaging 22.5 points per game in the Western Conference Finals.
The Thunder are deep, disciplined, and deadly in transition — but the Timberwolves, especially at home, aren’t going down quietly.
Game 3 will likely be the night when Edwards and Randle both finally show up — which could mean Minnesota gets their first (and probably only) win of the series.
Game Prediction: Timberwolves win by a razor-thin margin.
Series Prediction: OKC in five.
How to Watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Tonight’s Thunder-Timberwolves game tips off just after 8:30 PM Eastern. The game airs live on ABC and streams on the ABC and ESPN apps and websites.
Thunder vs. Timberwolves
Date and Time: Saturday, May 24, 2025, 8:30 PM Eastern
Venue: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
TV: ABC
Streaming: ABC and ESPN apps and websites, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, YouTube TV
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