The Thunder strike first in the Western Conference finals

▲ 26-year-old Canadian star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 31 points for the Thunder. Game 2 of this round will be played tomorrow at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. AP Photo

AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, p. a34

New York. The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-88 yesterday in Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference Finals, led by star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 31 points.

The 26-year-old Canadian added his fifth postseason game with at least 30 points – he finished with 31 – along with nine assists, five rebounds, and three steals.

The Timberwolves got off to an encouraging start thanks to a first half in which forward Julius Randle scored 20 of his 28 points. However, the Minnesota team was unable to maintain their pace, and in the third quarter, the Thunder responded with their best version, winning 32-18 and taking a lead that would reach 26 points.

Anthony Edwards, who got into a personal fight with Gilgeous-Alexander, received a technical foul in the first half for throwing the ball at the Thunder player while he was on the ground.

Edwards' 18 points were far below expectations for the Wolves' star player. He shot 39 percent and connected on just 5 of his 13 attempts.

Outside of Randle and Edwards, no other Minnesota player scored more than 10 points individually.

The Timberwolves turned to three-pointers to make the difference and failed, making just 15 of their 50 attempts.

Game 2 will be played tomorrow at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, where the Thunder averaged 125.7 points per game during the regular season.