The MVP is rolling. The second star is producing. Role players are excelling, and the Oklahoma City Thunder are two victories from their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012.
The Thunder toppled the Minnesota Timberwolves 118-103 in Game 2 Thursday for a 2-0 series lead.
It’s just two games, and Minnesota has yet to play at home, but it’s a lopsided series with the Thunder’s strengths shining and the Timberwolves’ flaws exposed.
Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who won his first MVP Wednesday, had 38 points, eight assists, three rebounds and three steals, and All-Star Jalen Williams was one of three Thunder players with at least 20 points.
Here are the winners and losers from Game 2 of Timberwolves vs. Thunder in the Western Conference finals:
Timberwolves vs. Thunder Game 2 winners
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The MVP did something that no other player in franchise history has accomplished. Not Kevin Durant. Not Russell Westbrook. Not James Harden. He scored at least 30 points in five consecutive playoff games – and there was symmetry to his 38 points – 19 in the first half, 19 in the second half; eight points in the first quarter, eight points in the fourth quarter, 11 points in the second quarter, 11 points in the third quarter.
The Timberwolves had no answers for Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 13 of his points at the free throw line. He had 22 points inside the 3-point line including 14 in the paint. His eight assists and three steals were part of the Thunder’s two-way dominance.
Everyone knows how Gilgeous-Alexander operates, and he remains difficult to stop. Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels was so frustrated, he shoved Gilgeous-Alexander, resulting in a flagrant foul one in the fourth quarter.
Jalen Williams
You could see Williams’ start taking shape last season, and the third-year forward from Santa Clara became an All-Star for the first time this season. He’s another one of the Thunder’s two-way performers.
He had 26 points on 12-for-20 shooting, 10 rebounds, five assists and one steal. Through two games, he’s averaging 22.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 3.0 steals.
Chet Holmgren
Holmgren sustained a hip fracture in the 10th game of the season and missed the next three months. The 7-footer returned in February and has found his spot in the starting lineup.
Holmgren scored 22 points in Game 2 and was 7-for-10 shooting in the paint.
Oklahoma City’s defense
Lu Dort might be easy to overlook, but he was fantastic in Game 2 with nine points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals – and the Thunder outscored the Timberwolves by 29 points in Dort’s 35 minutes on the court.
Dort was named first-team All-Defense on Thursday (Jalen Williams made the second team) and is a major reason the Thunder had the top-ranked defense during the regular season.
Minnesota is shooting 38.2% from the field and averaging 95.5 points in the series. The Thunder are protecting the paint and forcing the Timberwolves to score from the perimeter.
Anthony Edwards
Edwards looked for his shot way more in Game 2 than he did in Game 1, and it resulted in a 32-point performance. He was just 1-for-9 on 3s but also had nine rebounds and six assists. That’s the Edwards the Timberwolves need – with a few more made 3s and more scoring help from his teammates.
Timberwolves vs. Thunder Game 2 losers
Anthony Edwards’ postgame media availability
A day after the NBA fined Edwards $50,000 for “using profane language during a media interview” in the Game 1 postgame news conference, he declined to speak to reporters after Minnesota’s Game 2 loss. He may have been bothered by the fine, but he also left his teammates to answer questions about another unsatisfactory performance. Not a great look for a team leader.
Julius Randle’s offense
Before Game 2, the Timberwolves forward had scored at least 24 points in five consecutive games, including a triple-double against Golden State in the West semifinals. The offense vanished in Game 2. Randle was 2-for-11 for six points and did not play in the fourth quarter.
Timberwolves’ 3-point shooting
Minnesota is shooting 28.9% on 3s in the series, and while it has missed open shots, Oklahoma City’s defense has played a role, too. The Timberwolves missed 28 3s in Game 2 and 36 in Game 1, and they’re not converting enough shots inside the 3-point line.
From 3 in the series:
- Naz Reid is 0-for-12
- Mike Conley 2-for-9
- Donte DiVincenzo 5-for-18
- Anthony Edwards 4-for-17
Minnesota’s ball security
The Timberwolves committed 14 turnovers that led to 22 Thunder points in Game 2 – which followed 19 turnovers that led to 31 points in Game 1.
Oklahoma City has outscored Minnesota 53-20 in points off turnovers in the two games. In series that are won in both big and small ways, the Timberwolves are throwing away the basketball and their chances to win the series.
Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt