The Western Conference Finals are on fire—and the Oklahoma City Thunder vs Minnesota Timberwolves showdown has been nothing short of electric. Every possession matters, every player is fighting like the Finals are already here. In this breakdown, we’ll dive deep into the Oklahoma City Thunder vs Minnesota Timberwolves match player stats from the first two games. Who stepped up, who struggled, and how did the numbers shape the outcome? From Gilgeous-Alexander’s cold-blooded leadership to Edwards’ relentless grit, it’s all here—plus some analysis to help you see the story behind the stats.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Minnesota Timberwolves Match Player Stats
The Oklahoma City Thunder have taken a strong 2–0 lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals—and they’ve looked every bit like a team on a mission. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing at an MVP level, controlling the floor and delivering in clutch moments. But this isn’t a one-man show. The rest of the Thunder squad has stepped up, with key contributions coming from all over the roster.
Minnesota’s been battling hard, and they’re not folding. Anthony Edwards continues to bring fire and fight, and you can see the urgency in how the Wolves play. But through two games, Oklahoma City has simply had more poise, better execution, and timely scoring when it mattered most.
In this breakdown, we’ll dig into the Oklahoma City Thunder vs Minnesota Timberwolves match player stats from Games 1 and 2. We’ll highlight the standout performers, examine who struggled, and pinpoint the turning points that shifted momentum. Whether you’re here for the numbers or the narrative behind them, this deep dive has you covered.
| Player | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 41:47 | 38 | 3 | 8 | 57.1% | 50.0% | 86.7% |
| Jalen Williams | 38:45 | 26 | 10 | 5 | 60.0% | 33.3% | 0.0% |
Game 1 Recap and Key Moments
Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals didn’t just open the series—it sent a message. The Oklahoma City Thunder weren’t there to test the waters. They showed up like a team with a plan—and purpose. And when the final buzzer sounded, they had left no doubt who controlled the night.
From the start, OKC looked locked in. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander set the tone early—poised, efficient, and in full command. He finished with 33 points, but his impact went deeper than numbers. He slowed the game when it needed calm and sped it up when the Wolves blinked. A midrange dagger here, a smooth drive there—every Minnesota surge was met with a Thunder answer. “We’re not here to just be here,” he said afterward. Watching him, it was obvious.
Jalen Williams followed suit—not loud, but lethal. His 25 quiet points were all substance. He moved smartly without the ball, punished lapses in transition, and made the right decisions. No wasted motion, no heroics—just winning basketball.
Minnesota, to their credit, came with fight. Anthony Edwards led the charge, pouring in 28 points and bringing his usual fire. He attacked downhill, challenged defenders, and refused to let OKC coast. But the support around him wavered. Karl-Anthony Towns struggled to find rhythm, and 16 team turnovers proved fatal—many turning into easy Thunder buckets.
One moment said it all: midway through the fourth, the Wolves trimmed the lead to six. Edwards drove hard—then lost the handle. OKC raced down, hit a transition three, and the gap widened again. Just like that, momentum vanished.
Defensively, the Thunder were locked in. Luguentz Dort hounded Edwards with unrelenting pressure. Chet Holmgren anchored the paint, altering shots and forcing hesitations. The Wolves second-guessed drives, and it cost them.
Final: Thunder 115, Timberwolves 102. But the score only told part of the story. OKC looked composed, prepared, and mature—like a team chasing more than just a series lead.
Game 1 Full Player Stats Breakdown
The box score backs up the eye test: Oklahoma City executed with control and balance from top to bottom.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 38 points on 57.1% shooting. He attacked in rhythm, earned 15 trips to the line (making 13), and dished out 8 assists. Minnesota threw waves of defenders at him—none could slow the tempo he dictated.
Jalen Williams added 26 on a smooth 60% clip, with 10 rebounds and 5 assists to boot. He was a force in transition, always a step ahead in half-court sets, and active on the glass. It was the kind of all-around effort that doesn’t show up fully in highlights but changes games.
Chet Holmgren chipped in 22, showing why he’s such a matchup problem. He altered countless shots at the rim and gave Towns fits defensively. His 5-of-6 from the line and interior presence helped tilt the paint battle in OKC’s favor.
On the Minnesota side, Anthony Edwards poured in 32, but it was a grind. He shot 46.2% overall but went just 1-of-9 from deep—part of a larger Wolves problem from behind the arc. Every Edwards bucket was hard-earned, and OKC rarely let him string them together.
Jaden McDaniels was a rare bright spot, hitting over 50% and draining four threes en route to 22 points. He kept Minnesota within reach in the middle quarters, but the bench couldn’t keep pace. When the Wolves’ starters rested, the offense went silent.
That’s where OKC made them pay. The Thunder’s second unit didn’t just hold the line—they expanded it. Minnesota finished just 8-of-30 from deep (26.7%) and lacked consistent shot creation when Edwards sat. The Thunder turned those dry spells into fast breaks and momentum.
In every phase—effort, efficiency, and execution—OKC had the edge. That’s why they weren’t just ahead on the scoreboard. They were in control. Game 1 didn’t feel like a lucky break—it felt like a team playing to its identity. That’s how you take a 1–0 lead.
Game 1 Player Stats: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Minnesota Timberwolves
| Player | Team | MIN | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Thunder | 41:47 | 12 | 21 | 57.1% | 1 | 2 | 50.0% | 13 | 15 | 86.7% | 3 | 8 | 38 |
| Jalen Williams | Thunder | 38:45 | 12 | 20 | 60.0% | 2 | 6 | 33.3% | 0 | 1 | 0.0% | 10 | 5 | 26 |
| Chet Holmgren | Thunder | 31:45 | 8 | 17 | 47.1% | 1 | 6 | 16.7% | 5 | 6 | 83.3% | 4 | 2 | 22 |
| Anthony Edwards | Timberwolves | 40:04 | 12 | 26 | 46.2% | 1 | 9 | 11.1% | 7 | 10 | 70.0% | 9 | 6 | 32 |
| Jaden McDaniels | Timberwolves | 34:35 | 8 | 15 | 53.3% | 4 | 8 | 50.0% | 2 | 2 | 100.0% | 2 | 4 | 22 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | Timberwolves | 36:32 | 7 | 16 | 43.8% | 0 | 2 | 0.0% | 4 | 4 | 100.0% | 10 | 7 | 18 |
Game 2 Recap and Key Moments
Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals was pure excitement from tip-off. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showed why he’s the heart of the Thunder. Right away, he took control—attacking hard, making clutch shots, and carrying his team when things got close.
He scored 42 points, but it wasn’t just about points. Shai nailed tough mid-range shots, drove aggressively, and hit crucial free throws in the final minutes. The fourth quarter was all him. He put up 12 of the team’s last 18 points. That step-back three late in the game? It fired up the fans and quieted the Timberwolves like a knockout punch.
Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren stepped up, too. Williams locked down on defense and made smart passes. Holmgren was a beast inside, grabbing 11 rebounds and scoring 18 points. He really made life difficult for Minnesota near the basket.
Anthony Edwards gave it everything for the Timberwolves, scoring 35 points and driving hard. But even his best moments couldn’t shift the momentum. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said, “Shai was just too good tonight. We tried everything to stop him.”
The biggest moment came halfway through the fourth quarter. Shai stole an inbound pass and raced for an easy layup. That pushed the lead to double digits and seemed to break Minnesota’s spirit. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said, “When Shai’s locked in like that, he lifts the whole team. His leadership was clear tonight.”
This game showed just how intense this series will be. Game 2 wasn’t just a win—it was Shai’s moment on the big stage.
Game 2 Full Player Stats Breakdown
The numbers confirm it: Shai led the Thunder with 42 points on 16-of-25 shooting. He also had 9 assists and 5 rebounds, hitting 4 of 7 threes. Jalen Williams added 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, showing off his all-around skills. Holmgren pulled down 11 boards and scored 18 points, helping control the paint.
For Minnesota, Anthony Edwards scored 35 points but shot just 2-for-10 from three. Jaden McDaniels had 18 points and 5 rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns added 16 points and 8 rebounds. Still, turnovers and missed rebounds hurt the Timberwolves, giving Oklahoma City the edge.
Game 2 Player Stats: Thunder vs Timberwolves
| Player | Team | MIN | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Thunder | 42:15 | 16 | 25 | 64.0% | 4 | 7 | 57.1% | 6 | 8 | 75.0% | 5 | 9 | 42 |
| Jalen Williams | Thunder | 36:22 | 9 | 15 | 60.0% | 2 | 5 | 40.0% | 0 | 1 | 0.0% | 7 | 6 | 20 |
| Chet Holmgren | Thunder | 34:18 | 8 | 16 | 50.0% | 1 | 3 | 33.3% | 1 | 2 | 50.0% | 11 | 3 | 18 |
| Anthony Edwards | Timberwolves | 40:45 | 12 | 28 | 42.9% | 2 | 10 | 20.0% | 9 | 11 | 81.8% | 6 | 4 | 35 |
| Jaden McDaniels | Timberwolves | 30:12 | 7 | 14 | 50.0% | 1 | 3 | 33.3% | 3 | 4 | 75.0% | 5 | 2 | 18 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | Timberwolves | 35:20 | 7 | 18 | 38.9% | 2 | 7 | 28.6% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 8 | 3 | 16 |
Tactical Analysis & Player Matchups
This series is boiling down to some intense battles on both ends of the floor. Defensively, Oklahoma City’s ability to switch and stay aggressive has thrown Minnesota off their rhythm. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s quick hands and anticipation make him a nightmare to guard, while Holmgren’s length and timing inside shut down a lot of Minnesota’s paint opportunities. On the flip side, Minnesota’s defensive rotation sometimes leaves Edwards isolated, but when they lock in, their pressure can force turnovers.
The star players are clearly the headline here. Shai’s all-around game—scoring, passing, and defending—creates problems for the Timberwolves on every possession. Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards tries to push the pace and break through with explosive drives, but he’s been forced to take tough shots thanks to Oklahoma City’s tight perimeter defense. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren’s contributions can’t be overstated either; they’re the glue, making plays that don’t always show up in the box score but keep the team balanced.
The stats back all this up. The Thunder’s superior shooting percentages, fewer turnovers, and better rebounding margins highlight how their control on both ends is wearing down Minnesota. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves’ struggles beyond the arc and on the glass have limited their second-chance points and easy transition buckets. It’s these little battles within the game that are shaping the outcome—and so far, the Thunder are edging ahead.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been showing consistent energy throughout this playoff run. Their recent clashes have showcased strong individual performances, especially in tight defensive matchups. Fans looking to dive deeper into the Thunder’s player stats can also check out their thrilling battle against the New Orleans Pelicans.
What to Expect Next: Game 3 Preview
Game 3 shifts back to Minnesota, and the Timberwolves will be desperate to flip the script. Home court energy should boost their confidence, especially for Edwards and Towns, who’ll need to find better rhythm offensively. Expect Minnesota to tighten up their defense, especially around the perimeter, to limit Shai’s space.
Oklahoma City, meanwhile, will look to maintain their aggressive defense and keep Holmgren’s inside presence dominant. The bench play will also be crucial—both teams need their role players to step up for the grind ahead. If Minnesota can clean up turnovers and shoot more efficiently from deep, Game 3 could be a whole different story.
Who will win Game 3?
Conclusion
Player stats aren’t just numbers—they tell the real story of this series. Shai’s dominance and Holmgren’s inside game have fueled the Thunder’s surge, while Minnesota’s struggles with turnovers and shooting have held them back. These stats highlight who’s controlling the pace and momentum, giving Oklahoma City the edge heading into Game 3. This series is far from over, but the numbers so far make it clear who’s setting the tone. Keep your eyes locked on the upcoming games and player stats—this battle is only getting hotter. Don’t miss a moment of the action!
Henry Philip is the Lead Publisher at VCEMagazine.com, where he delivers in-depth coverage of the sports world — from player stats and game analytics to financial profiles of elite athletes. With a background in sports journalism and data analysis, Henry tracks performance trends and off-field ventures across major leagues like MLB, NFL, NBA, and international football.
Over the years, he has profiled top stars, broken down match-day metrics, and analyzed how athletes build wealth through contracts, sponsorships, and business ventures. His work bridges the gap between on-field performance and off-field financial strategy, helping fans understand the full picture of sports success.
Whether writing about a quarterback’s clutch stats or a baseball legend’s business empire, Henry’s focus is on accuracy, insight, and trusted storytelling.