MINNEAPOLIS — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the OKC Thunder will face Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves at 8:30 p.m. CST Friday.
OKC (25-2) secured a 122-101 home win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday. Minnesota (17-10) fell short in a 116-110 home loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.
Follow along for live updates for today’s Thunder-Timberwolves game:
Order new book on Thunder’s run to NBA title
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can’t get a shot off in the closing seconds before turning it over. He finished with 35 points and seven assists in the loss. OKC (25-3) has lost two of its last three games.
End of the third quarter: Thunder 85, Timberwolves 83 | OKC in dogfight at MinnesotaShai Gilgeous-Alexander: 24 points and 6 assistsJalen Williams: 15 points and 5 boardsAjay Mitchell: 12 points and 2 assistsShai Gilgeous-Alexander: 11 points and 4 assistsJalen Williams: 8 points and 4 reboundsLu Dort: 8 points and 3 reboundsJulius Randle and Bones Hyland have scored nine points apiece for Minnesota.We’ve got a good one in Minneapolis.End of the first quarter: Thunder 33, Timberwolves 23 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC off to fast startShai Gilgeous-Alexander: 11 points, 4 boards and 3 assistsJalen Williams: 8 points and 2 boardsChet Holmgren: 6 points and 2 boardsStrong start for OKC, especially its Big Three.
Chris Finch thought Julius Randle got fouled, and he wasn’t happy about the no-call. He just got ejected with 6:19 left in the first quarter.
What time is Thunder vs Timberwolves game tonight?Date: Friday, Dec. 19Time: 8:30 p.m. CSTWhere: Target Center in Minneapolis
Thunder vs Timberwolves predictions, picks
Justin Martinez: OKC 117, Minnesota 111
This game marks the second night of a back-to-back for OKC, and it’s unclear if any of its players will show up on Friday’s injury report as a result. That could make a tough road game against Minnesota even tougher. Still, the Thunder has shown it can win games despite being short-handed. It’s the deepest team in the NBA with no shortage of scorers, playmakers and defenders, and its competitive fight shines regardless of who suits up. I’m picking OKC to beat Minnesota, which could be without Anthony Edwards.
Thunder vs Timberwolves betting odds
Odds via BetMGM as of Friday, Dec. 19
Odds: Thunder by 7.5Over/under: 233.5Moneyline: OKC -295 | Minnesota +230
Thunder vs Timberwolves injury updatesThunder: Thomas Sorber (ACL surgery recovery) is out. Nikola Topić (surgery recovery) is out. Aaron Wiggins (right adductor soreness) is questionable. Jaylin Williams (right heel bursitis) is out. Chris Youngblood (G League two-way) is out.Timberwolves: Joan Beringer (G League assignment) is out. Jaylen Clark (illness) is questionable. Mike Conley (right Achilles tendinopathy) is out. Anthony Edwards (right foot injury maintenance) is questionable. Enrique Freeman (G League two-way) is out. Rocco Zikarsky (G League two-way) is out.
Projected OKC Thunder starters
Projected Minnesota Timberwolves starters
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.