Oklahoma Metropolis was anticipated to be right here earlier than the season even tipped off. Minnesota traded fan favourite Karl-Anthony Cities away for Julius Randle proper earlier than the season — a commerce all about saving cash — however they’re again within the Western Convention Finals for the second straight 12 months. They usually could also be higher this time round.
When does the Timberwolves vs. Thunder start?
Denver travels to Oklahoma Metropolis for Recreation 1 of the sequence on Tuesday, Could 20, with an 8:30 ET tip-off. The remainder of the sequence goes each different day after that.
Denver vs. Oklahoma Metropolis Playoffs Schedule 2025
All occasions are Japanese (* = if needed)Recreation 1: Timberwolves vs. Thunder; Tues., Could 20 (8:30 ET, ESPN)Recreation 2: Timberwolves vs. Thunder; Thurs., Could 22 (8:30 ET, ESPN)Recreation 3: Thunder vs. Timberwolves; Sat., Could 24 (8:30 ET, ABC)Recreation 4: Thunder vs. Timberwolves; Mon., Could 26 (8:30 ET, ESPN)Recreation 5: Timberwolves vs. Thunder; Wed., Could 28 (8:30 ET, ESPN)*Recreation 6: Thunder vs. Timberwolves; Fri., Could 30 (8:30 ET, ESPN)*Recreation 7: Timberwolves vs. Thunder; Solar., June 1 (8 ET, ESPN)*
Gamers to observe
Jalen Williams
After scoring 20 factors or extra in all 4 of Oklahoma Metropolis’s video games towards the Grizzlies within the first spherical, he struggled towards the Nuggets. Capturing 37.5 % from the sector, J-Dub averaged 17.6 factors, 5.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.9 blocks and 1.3 three-pointers per recreation. Whereas Williams got here via in Sunday’s Recreation 7 victory, scoring 24 factors on 10-of-17 capturing, constant manufacturing shall be essential towards the red-hot Timberwolves. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander seemingly being occupied with Jaden McDaniels, Williams’ productiveness shall be key if the Thunder are to achieve the NBA Finals for the primary time since 2012.—Raphielle Johnson, Rotoworld basketball analyst
Rudy Gobert
After spending the primary two sequence matched up with Jaxson Hayes and Trayce Jackson-Davis, Gobert is about to have a a lot more durable matchup within the convention finals. He’ll should take care of each Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren whereas nonetheless serving to out on drives from OKC’s guards, particularly Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Exterior of getting 27 factors and 24 rebounds in Minnesota’s Recreation 5 closeout win over the Lakers, Gobert hasn’t had many sturdy performances throughout this postseason. Nevertheless, this sequence shall be a extra essential matchup for him. SGA is second to Cade Cunningham with 19.5 drives per recreation in the course of the playoffs, and as a staff, OKC leads all groups in passes out of drives in the course of the postseason with 22.4 per recreation. Nevertheless, if the protection cracks, these passes will grow to be layups as an alternative. Gobert goes to should dominate the paint throughout this sequence for Minnesota to advance to the Finals for the primary time in franchise historical past.—Noah Rubin, Rotoworld basketball analyst
Keys to observe for in Minnesota vs. Oklahoma Metropolis
Turnovers
Minnesota will get a bit free with the ball and has a propensity for turning it over; they did so on 13% of their possessions within the common season (tenth highest share within the league). Within the playoffs, that has jumped up barely to 13.6%. No staff has pressured extra turnovers within the playoffs than the Thunder, doing so on 15.7% of opponent possessions.
Ask Denver what occurs if you flip the ball over towards the Thunder.
The Timberwolves should deal with the ball within the face of essentially the most on-ball strain and steal-happy staff within the league. Issues will flip shortly and get ugly in the event that they don’t, and Minnesota can’t afford to present away video games on this sequence.
Lu Dort on Anthony Edwards
That is a lot enjoyable. Dort is considered one of (if not THE) finest on-ball defenders within the league, he’s bodily and disruptive. Anthony Edwards is the All-NBA engine of the Timberwolves’ offense and a man who can pull up and knock down the three or be bodily attacking the rim. It is a matchup for the ages.
Minnesota will make a degree of making an attempt to modify Dort off of Ant, however there are two challenges with that: 1) No person within the league fights over screens and sticks together with his assigned man like Dort; 2) There are not any pigeons within the OKC core rotation, there’s not some simple goal to modify on to and assault. Edwards may attempt to go after Holmgren, however he has the size and velocity to problem pictures on the rim or the arc.
Julius Randle/Chet Holmgren
Which large man offers his star guard sufficient assist?
Randle has performed that this postseason, averaging 23.9 factors, 5.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists a recreation. It took time (many of the season) for Randle to determine how one can play off Ant and subsequent to Rudy Gobert, however when he did, it supercharged the Timberwolves.
This sequence is a significantly better matchup for Holmgren, with Daigneault seemingly going with him as the one large for prolonged stretches (one thing that he couldn’t do towards Jokic). Holmgren is averaging 15.7 factors and 9.7 rebounds a recreation, plus 2.2 blocks an evening in these playoffs, however the Thunder are hoping to get extra out of him on this sequence.—Kurt Helin, NBC Sports activities lead NBA author
Predictions
Jay Croucher (NBC Sports activities Lead Betting Analyst): Thunder in 6
This sequence could also be Anthony Edwards’ reckoning. Oklahoma Metropolis will power Edwards to make sped-up choices, and Edwards hasn’t proved he can drawback clear up on the highest stage (4.5 assists per recreation to three.2 turnovers per recreation this season). Minnesota has a turnover concern and OKC’s protection is without doubt one of the biggest of all time at creating and punishing turnovers.
Drew Dinsick (NBC Sports activities Betting Analyst): Thunder in 4
I’m a Thunder sweep because the more than likely consequence within the Western Convention Finals and have them round an 87% to advance to the NBA Finals. It is a good matchup for them on each side of the ball, for my part, and I’m most to see if Daigneault continues to make use of the double-big lineup or elects to go small to place Gobert in hurt’s approach. The defensive matchups for the Thunder towards the Wolves’ offense, and Ant particularly, look supreme, and projecting a ranking within the 104s for Minnesota this sequence.
Kurt Helin (NBC Sports activities lead NBA author): Thunder in 6
I by no means would have thought I’d kind this sentence, however right here we’re: Minnesota is healthier this season with Randle as an alternative of Cities. It is a balanced, athletic, large and bodily staff. That is additionally only a unhealthy matchup for them. For me, it comes again to turnovers, the Timberwolves are going to cough the ball up an excessive amount of beneath strain to beat a Thunder staff that’s hitting its stride.
