{"id":734325,"date":"2026-05-14T17:30:51","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T17:30:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/734325\/"},"modified":"2026-05-14T17:30:51","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T17:30:51","slug":"how-would-okc-thunder-match-up-vs-spurs-timberwolves-in-west-finals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/734325\/","title":{"rendered":"How would OKC Thunder match up vs Spurs, Timberwolves in West finals?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Thunder<\/a> wants one thing out of this Spurs-Timberwolves series: more basketball.<\/p>\n

Game 6 will tip off at 8:30 p.m. Friday in Minneapolis. The Wolves, trailing 3-2 in the series, can force a Game 7 with a win.<\/p>\n

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That\u2019d be just fine for the Thunder. OKC is chilling in the recovery tub<\/a>, watching as Minnesota<\/a> and San Antonio<\/a> bludgeon each other.<\/p>\n

As for which team the Thunder would rather face in the Western Conference finals<\/a>? I think we all have an educated guess.<\/p>\n

But let\u2019s break down the two possible matchups by 10 categories, seeing which of the Spurs and Wolves<\/a> would pose the tougher test.<\/p>\n

OKC Thunder<\/a> stock report: Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain soaring in NBA Playoffs<\/a><\/p>\n

1 \/ 11<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 4 NBA Playoffs, see top photos<\/p>\n

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 11: Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder battle for a tip off during the first quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.<\/p>\n

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1 \/ 11<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 4 NBA Playoffs, see top photos<\/p>\n

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 11: Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder battle for a tip off during the first quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.<\/p>\n

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2 \/ 11<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 4 NBA Playoffs, see top photos<\/p>\n

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.<\/p>\n

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3 \/ 11<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 4 NBA Playoffs, see top photos<\/p>\n

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.<\/p>\n

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4 \/ 11<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 4 NBA Playoffs, see top photos<\/p>\n

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives with the ball against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 and Ajay Mitchell #25 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.<\/p>\n

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5 \/ 11<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 4 NBA Playoffs, see top photos<\/p>\n

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 11: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Cason Wallace #22 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.<\/p>\n

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6 \/ 11<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 4 NBA Playoffs, see top photos<\/p>\n

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 11: Head Coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.<\/p>\n

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7 \/ 11<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 4 NBA Playoffs, see top photos<\/p>\n

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 11: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up against the Oklahoma City Thunder prior to Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.<\/p>\n

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8 \/ 11<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 4 NBA Playoffs, see top photos<\/p>\n

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 11: A detailed view of Los Angeles Lakers themed T-shirts prior to Game Four against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.<\/p>\n

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9 \/ 11<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 4 NBA Playoffs, see top photos<\/p>\n

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 11: LeBron James #23 and Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers warm up against the Oklahoma City Thunder prior to Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.<\/p>\n

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10 \/ 11<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 4 NBA Playoffs, see top photos<\/p>\n

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 11: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder warms up prior to Game Four against the Los Angeles Lakers in the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.<\/p>\n

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11 \/ 11<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 4 NBA Playoffs, see top photos<\/p>\n

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up prior to Game Four against Oklahoma City Thunder in the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.<\/p>\n

The answer would be Wembanyama even if Edwards was healthy, but it\u2019d be kind of close. But Edwards is not healthy. And it\u2019s not close.<\/p>\n

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The Ant-Man\u2019s athleticism has been zapped. He\u2019s fresh off a scary hyperextension of his left knee, and he\u2019s dealing with runner\u2019s knee in his right.<\/p>\n

Edwards can still take over in spurts, like we\u2019ve seen against the Spurs, but not for a full game. Much less a full series.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know if Wembanyama can handle the physical toll of a series against OKC, but he\u2019s in a better spot than Edwards right now. And his best is better than Edwards\u2019 best.<\/p>\n

Tougher test: Spurs<\/p>\n

Offense: Wolves sputtering, Spurs surging<\/p>\n

Injuries have of course played a factor, but the Wolves offense has been bad in the playoffs (107.7 points per 100 possessions). For context, that\u2019s a worse offensive rating than the Suns had in Round 1 against the Thunder.<\/p>\n

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The Wolves\u2019 playoff offense has been worse than the Brooklyn Nets<\/a>\u2019 30th-ranked regular-season offense (108.8 points per 100 possessions).<\/p>\n

Minnesota had an average offense even in the regular season, ranking 13th. The Spurs ranked third.<\/p>\n

San Antonio has had the third-best offense in the playoffs behind the Thunder and Knicks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tougher test: Spurs <\/p>\n

More: When does OKC Thunder play? Western Conference finals schedule scenarios for NBA Playoffs<\/a><\/p>\n

Defense: Spurs rank No. 1 in playoffs<\/p>\n

San Antonio is allowing 102 points per 100 possessions in the playoffs. OKC\u2019s No. 1 ranked regular-season defense allowed 106.5 points per 100 possessions.<\/p>\n

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The Spurs\u2019 defense ranked third and the Timberwolves<\/a>\u2019 eighth in the regular season.<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama is the best defensive player in the world, but Rudy Gobert<\/a> remains elite on that end of the floor.<\/p>\n

While San Antonio has a better all-around defense, I think Minnesota wing Jaden McDaniels<\/a> could give SGA more trouble than any Spurs defender.<\/p>\n

Tougher test: Spurs<\/p>\n

Revenge factor: Thunder-Wolves Part 2?<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no revenge to be had for the Spurs.<\/p>\n

They dominated the season series with the Thunder 4-1. Now, you can throw away a couple of those games based on who played and who didn\u2019t, but the Spurs beat the Thunder in the two regular-season games that mattered most.<\/p>\n

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In the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas, and on Christmas Day in OKC. Both of those games had real stakes. The Thunder had a chance to shut the Spurs up on Christmas, but the noise only got louder.<\/p>\n

If revenge is a factor, it\u2019ll be on the Thunder\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

Conversely, it could motivate Minnesota. The Timberwolves played the Thunder tight in the regular season (2-2), but OKC trounced Minnesota in last year\u2019s Western Conference finals. In the Thunder\u2019s four wins in that five-game series, its average margin of victory was 18.3 points.<\/p>\n

Tougher test: Timberwolves<\/p>\n

Narrative: Wemby\u2019s rise vs. Wolves\u2019 resolve<\/p>\n

Due respect to \u201cThunder-Wolves, The Rematch,\u201d but I don\u2019t think anyone is clamoring to see a replay of last year\u2019s Western Conference finals.<\/p>\n

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Thunder vs. Spurs, however, could be epic. The de facto NBA Finals (sorry, Knicks, you guys really are playing great).<\/p>\n

Despite it being a matchup between two small markets (that\u2019s the case either way), the league would have no problem selling an OKC-San Antonio series.<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a> is the MVP. Victor Wembanyama is the MWP (must-watch player).<\/p>\n

Chet Holmgren<\/a> and Wembanyama, as you might\u2019ve heard, don\u2019t like each other.<\/p>\n

The zero-and-zero Thunder resides in a bubble, but a series against the Spurs would bring added layers of distractions.<\/p>\n

Tougher test: Spurs<\/p>\n

More: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander let OKC Thunder teammates shine, then he closed out Lakers<\/a><\/p>\n

Starting lineup: Choose your five<\/p>\n

In Game 5 against the Spurs, the Wolves started Anthony Edwards and Ayo Dosunmu<\/a> in the backcourt, Jaden McDaniels on the wing and Julius Randle<\/a> and Rudy Gobert in the front court.<\/p>\n

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The Spurs\u2019 starting five: Guards De\u2019Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle<\/a>, wings Devin Vassell<\/a> and Julian Champagnie<\/a> and coverer of the court Victor Wembanyama.<\/p>\n

Edwards is better than either Fox<\/a> or Castle. Both Fox and Castle are better than Dosunmu. The McDaniels\/Randle duo is better than Vassell\/Champagnie. The Spurs\u2019 Frenchman is better than the Timberwolves\u2019.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll give the nod to whichever lineup has Wembanyama.<\/p>\n

Tougher test: Spurs<\/p>\n

Spurs wing Keldon Johnson was named Sixth Man of the Year \u2014 an award Timberwolves center Naz Reid won in 2024 and finished fourth for this season.<\/p>\n

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Let\u2019s not just compare these two players, but the benches as a whole.<\/p>\n

Donte DiVincenzo<\/a> was a starter for the Wolves, but his devastating Achilles injury was a huge blow to Minnesota\u2019s overall depth. His absence has led to more minutes for Mike Conley<\/a> and Terrence Shannon Jr.<\/a> \u2014 a 38-year-old and a second-year player.<\/p>\n

Ayo Dosunmu started in Games 3 and 4 against the Spurs. Reid comes off the bench, but he gets a starter\u2019s diet of minutes.<\/p>\n

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch has gone away from Bones Hyland<\/a> and Jaylen Clark<\/a>. I could see the Wolves going back to Clark, an excellent defensive guard, in a series against the Thunder.<\/p>\n

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The Spurs have a stable starting five. Rounding out their 10-man rotation have been Dylan Harper<\/a>, Keldon Johnson, Luke Kornet<\/a>, Carter Bryant<\/a> and Harrison Barnes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Johnson won Sixth Man of the Year, but he\u2019s not even the best bench player on his own team. That\u2019s the rookie Harper, who\u2019s averaging 14.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists in the Wolves series.<\/p>\n

Tougher test: Spurs<\/p>\n

Experience: Can Spurs be exception?<\/p>\n

The Spurs haven\u2019t been here. Teams don\u2019t go from out of the playoffs one year to on top of the world the next. Even the Thunder had to fail \u2026 once.<\/p>\n

Harrison Barnes has the most playoff experience on the Spurs, and he\u2019s been relegated out of the rotation. Of the Spurs\u2019 starters, De\u2019Aaron Fox is the only among them with any playoff scars. And Fox played in all of one series with the Kings.<\/p>\n

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Here are the Wolves\u2019 starters by playoff games: Rudy Gobert (95), Anthony Edwards (51), Jaden McDaniels (48), Julius Randle (41), Ayo Dosunmu (14). Mike Conley has played in 119 playoff games.<\/p>\n

The playoffs are a different game, and the Spurs are still learning the rules.<\/p>\n

Tougher test: Timberwolves<\/p>\n

More: LeBron James and Lakers pushed Thunder in Game 4 \u2014 but OKC pushed back harder<\/a><\/p>\n

1 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Thunder vs Timberwolves, see top photos of SGA and Anthony Edwards<\/p>\n

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 15: Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves brings the ball down the floor during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on March 15, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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1 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Thunder vs Timberwolves, see top photos of SGA and Anthony Edwards<\/p>\n

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 15: Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves brings the ball down the floor during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on March 15, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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2 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Thunder vs Timberwolves, see top photos of SGA and Anthony Edwards<\/p>\n

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 15: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball while being defended by Donte DiVincenzo #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves at Paycom Center on March 15, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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3 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Thunder vs Timberwolves, see top photos of SGA and Anthony Edwards<\/p>\n

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 15: Ajay Mitchell #25 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reaches for the ball in front of Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half at Paycom Center on March 15, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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4 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Thunder vs Timberwolves, see top photos of SGA and Anthony Edwards<\/p>\n

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 15: Bones Hyland #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves attempts to drive past Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Paycom Center on March 15, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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5 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Thunder vs Timberwolves, see top photos of SGA and Anthony Edwards<\/p>\n

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 15: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder attempts a shot in front of Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves at Paycom Center on March 15, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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6 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Thunder vs Timberwolves, see top photos of SGA and Anthony Edwards<\/p>\n

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 15: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder attempts a shot in front of Donte DiVincenzo #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves at Paycom Center on March 15, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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7 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Thunder vs Timberwolves, see top photos of SGA and Anthony Edwards<\/p>\n

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 15: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves attempts a shot in front of Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Paycom Center on March 15, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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8 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Thunder vs Timberwolves, see top photos of SGA and Anthony Edwards<\/p>\n

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 15: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball while being defended by Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Paycom Center on March 15, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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9 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Thunder vs Timberwolves, see top photos of SGA and Anthony Edwards<\/p>\n

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 15: Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves attempts a shot in front of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Paycom Center on March 15, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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10 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Thunder vs Timberwolves, see top photos of SGA and Anthony Edwards<\/p>\n

Mar 15, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives around Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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11 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Thunder vs Timberwolves, see top photos of SGA and Anthony Edwards<\/p>\n

Mar 15, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) goes up for a basket beside Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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12 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Thunder vs Timberwolves, see top photos of SGA and Anthony Edwards<\/p>\n

Mar 15, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) reaches to save the ball from going out of bounds on a play against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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13 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Thunder vs Timberwolves, see top photos of SGA and Anthony Edwards<\/p>\n

Mar 15, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center\/forward Chet Holmgren (7) dunks against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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14 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Thunder vs Timberwolves, see top photos of SGA and Anthony Edwards<\/p>\n

Mar 15, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (25) drives to the basket against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Bones Hyland (8) during the first half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Coaching: Chris Finch vs. Mitch Johnson<\/p>\n

Almost every opposing coach complains about the whistles the Thunder gets, but no one does it like Chris Finch. He\u2019s whiner No. 1.<\/p>\n

The guy can coach, though. And trying to influence officials via his press conferences is as strategic as his game plans.<\/p>\n

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San Antonio\u2019s Mitch Johnson has established himself as a good coach in his own right \u2014 one of three Coach of the Year finalists. But Finch has been there, done that. He\u2019s a couple wins away from leading the Timberwolves to their third straight conference finals.<\/p>\n

Finch has the on-court experience and off-court savviness to frustrate the Thunder.<\/p>\n

Tougher test: Timberwolves <\/p>\n

Environment: Target Center vs. Frost Bank Center<\/p>\n

The Timberwolves have a really good home crowd, but Spurs fans have been on another level this postseason. Granted, I\u2019m judging from TV, which can be deceiving.<\/p>\n

The fiesta-striped arena to match the Spurs\u2019 city edition uniforms is totally awesome.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

For as much success as the Spurs have historically had \u2014 especially compared to the Wolves \u2014 this is the Spurs\u2019 first postseason in seven years. Minnesota fans have seen gobs of playoff games in the last few years.<\/p>\n

If it\u2019s OKC vs. San Antonio, you\u2019ll also see more visiting fans traveling back and forth.<\/p>\n

Tougher test: Spurs<\/p>\n

Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com<\/a>. Support Joe’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Spurs or Timberwolves? How they match up with Thunder in NBA Playoffs<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Thunder wants one thing out of this Spurs-Timberwolves series: more basketball. Game 6 will tip off at…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":734326,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3783],"tags":[5577,375,4102,7,7291,247,978,366,2725,372,226,1086,2992,377,1255,11938,4076,376,2850,304,300,185,4996,371,307,520,6,378,878,310,475,179,3966,3965,373,969,209,930,1249,2594,3687,312,308,693,3460],"class_list":["post-734325","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-oklahoma-city-thunder","tag-ajay-mitchell","tag-anthony-edwards","tag-ayo-dosunmu","tag-basketball","tag-bones-hyland","tag-brooklyn-nets","tag-carter-bryant","tag-chet-holmgren","tag-devin-vassell","tag-donte-divincenzo","tag-dylan-harper","tag-fox","tag-harrison-barnes","tag-jaden-mcdaniels","tag-jared-mccain","tag-jaylen-clark","tag-julian-champagnie","tag-julius-randle","tag-keldon-johnson","tag-knicks","tag-lakers","tag-lebron-james","tag-luke-kornet","tag-mike-conley","tag-minnesota","tag-naz-reid","tag-nba","tag-okc","tag-okc-thunder","tag-oklahoma","tag-oklahoma-city","tag-oklahoma-city-thunder","tag-oklahomacity","tag-oklahomacitythunder","tag-rudy-gobert","tag-san-antonio","tag-shai-gilgeous-alexander","tag-stephon-castle","tag-terrence-shannon-jr","tag-the-spurs","tag-the-wolves","tag-thunder","tag-timberwolves","tag-victor-wembanyama","tag-western-conference-finals"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":"Validation failed: Text character limit of 500 exceeded"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/734325","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=734325"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/734325\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/734326"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=734325"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=734325"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=734325"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}