Timberwolves Struggle As The Thunder’s Defense Sparks The Team In The Second Half

The Minnesota Timberwolves made their return to the Western Conference Finals after beating the Golden State Warriors in six games in the Western Conference Semifinals. In game one of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Timberwolves struggled to make much of an impact on offense as the Thunder won 114-88.

The Thunder’s challenge to defend the Timberwolves and star guard Anthony Edwards was met by forcing the Timberwolves to turn the ball over 19 times, which turned into 31 points for the Thunder. The Thunder defense in the paint was lights out, giving up only 20 points on 43.5% shooting in the key. The Timberwolves were shooting 42.1% beyond the arc to start the game, but eventually the Thunder were able to lock the three-ball down, allowing the Timberwolves to shoot 21.9% beyond the arc the rest of the game.

The Timberwolves only had two players in double figures as Julius Randle had 28 points and eight rebounds while shooting 69.2% from the field and 83.3% from three. Randle struggled to hold on to the ball, turning it over five times, which was the most on the team. Edwards struggled in this game, accounting for 18 points, nine rebounds and four turnovers. He shot 38.46% from the field and 37.5% from three. Edwards went back to the locker room after turning his ankle on a landing but was able to return to the floor midway through the second quarter.

“I definitely got to shoot more. I took 13 f—– shots,” Edwards said postgame. “But I’ll say probably just get off the ball a little more. Play without the ball. I think that would be the answer, because playing on the ball, they’re just going to double and sit in the gaps all day. So I’ve got to go watch some film and take it apart and figure it out.”

Enlightened by the defense, the Thunder took the lead with a 10-0 run that turned into a 17-2 run with Kenrish Williams hitting shots off the bench. Once the fourth quarter started, the Thunder were up by ten points and won the second half by 30 points.

Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander started off cold in the first half, shooting 2-of-13 in the first half, but was able to bounce back, shooting 8-of-14 in the second half. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with a game-high 31 points and led his team to a game-one win. The Thunder shot 50% from the field and 52.38% from three while having four players in double figures, including Gilgeous-Alexander.

“I didn’t particularly change my mindset, honestly,” Gilgeous-Alexander said postgame. “I tried to continue to be aggressive, trust my work.”

Game two of the Western Conference finals is set for Thursday, May 22, where the Timberwolves will be looking to steal a win on the road from Oklahoma City.

“It’s Game 1,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said postgame. “They won at home. Congrats to them. They played really well. There’s another game in two days.”