Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
The Oklahoma City Thunder will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves for Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. The Thunder defended their home court and have not lost a game in this series yet. Meanwhile the Timberwolves have heavily struggled in the Western Conference Finals, and OKC’s defense in particular, has them in an unfavorable spot going into Game 3. If the Thunder win tonight, you can just about wrap this series up as no team has ever come back from a 3-0 lead, and it will most likely be impossible to win four consecutive games against the red hot Thunder. Can the Timberwolves stay alive, or will the Thunder take a commanding 3-0 lead? Let’s find out more.
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Outlook
The Thunder are proving why they were the best team in the regular season with 68 wins, and so far have been dominant in the series against the Timberwolves. In Game 1, we saw the Timberwolves battle with the Thunder until the halftime, but in the 3rd and 4th quarter, OKC’s defense was outstanding, which helped them seal the deal. In Game 2, the Thunder outscored the Timberwolves in three quarters and despite Ant Edwards’ 32 point performance, the Thunder were too much to deal with as they played suffocating defense, which help them score points off turnovers.
With the 2024-25 season’s MVP in Shai Gilgeous Alexander leading the way, the Thunder are a threat to sweep the Timberwolves and advance to the finals.
Minnesota Timberwolves’ Outlook
The Timberwolves are down 2-0 in this series and the biggest reason why is their turnovers. In Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, the Wolves had 17 turnovers, and in Game 2 they gave up 14 to OKC’s 6 turnovers. The Timberwolves simply cannot win the game in this fashion and something has to change soon, as they could go down to a 0-3 hole. Despite Rudy Gobert protecting the paint of the Wolves, the Thunder have scored a total of 112 points in the paint, in Games 1 and 2. Giving up that many points inside is a recipe for disaster, and the four-time DPOY looks to be in a familiar position that he was in last season in the Western Conference Finals. Gobert has been unplayable in the series thus far, and his teammate Julius Randle had a horrible performance in Game 2, scoring just 6 points on 32 minutes.
The Timberwolves are in a must-win situation, and things need to change tonight, if they want their season to continue.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Injury ReportOklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder only have Nikola Topic out of tonight’s game as he had a surgery on his left knee.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves do not have anyone listed in the injury report for tonight’s game.
Where to Watch Thunder vs. Timberwolves Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals?
Catch the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 8:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcasted live on ABC, from Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, home of the Timberwolves.