The Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves are the last two teams battling it out in the highly competitive Western Conference. With the Thunder currently holding a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals, the Timberwolves are riding a wave of momentum following a stunning blowout victory in Game 3 on Saturday night. As the series shifts back to Minnesota for Game 4, the Timberwolves will aim to even the score on Monday night.
Both franchises have their sights set on making a long-awaited appearance in the NBA Finals. The Oklahoma City Thunder last reached the Finals in 2012, while the Minnesota Timberwolves are still seeking their first-ever Finals berth in franchise history. This series has significant implications for both teams, as they strive to etch their names in NBA history.
The top-seeded Thunder have proven to be the dominant team in the West throughout the season, clinching an impressive 68 victories during the regular season. They showcased their prowess by sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs. However, the Thunder faced a tough challenge in the second round against Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets, ultimately emerging victorious in a thrilling seven-game series, capped off by a decisive blowout in Game 7.
Leading the Thunder's charge is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the presumptive NBA MVP, who has consistently delivered outstanding performances throughout the playoffs. In Game 1 against the Timberwolves, he scored an impressive 31 points, setting the tone for his team's success. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves boast their own superstar in Anthony Edwards, who has been instrumental in guiding Minnesota to the conference finals for the second consecutive year.
The Timberwolves have showcased their resilience by eliminating both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors in the first two rounds, winning each series in just five games. After experiencing disappointment in last year's conference finals against the Dallas Mavericks, where they fell in five games, Minnesota is eager for redemption and to capitalize on their current playoff momentum.
This marks the Thunder's return to the conference finals for the first time since 2016, where they faced a tough defeat against the Warriors. With their eyes set firmly on the Finals, Oklahoma City is determined to capitalize on their current lead in the series against Minnesota.
Here’s the complete schedule for the Western Conference Finals, all times listed in Eastern time:
Game 1: Thunder 114, Timberwolves 88 Game 2: Thunder 118, Timberwolves 103 Game 3: Timberwolves 143, Thunder 101 — OKC leads 2-1 Game 4: Monday, May 26 | Thunder vs. Timberwolves | 8:30 p.m., ESPN/fubo Game 5: Wednesday, May 28 | Timberwolves vs. Thunder | 8:30 p.m., ESPN/fubo Game 6: Friday, May 30 | Thunder vs. Timberwolves | 8:30 p.m., ESPN/fubo Game 7: Sunday, June 1 | Timberwolves vs. Thunder | 8 p.m., ESPN/fuboFor those interested in the betting landscape, here are the latest odds via DraftKings:
Series Odds: Thunder -800, Timberwolves +550 Game 4 Odds: Thunder -3, O/U 219As the series heats up, fans and analysts alike are eager to see who will emerge victorious in this thrilling matchup between the Thunder and Timberwolves. Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting Game 4!
