Crashing to the ground after contact from Jaden McDaniels, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander flung the ball towards the rim – and watched it drop in earlier than calmly sinking the free throw 5 minutes into the fourth quarter.
That sequence captured the momentum shift, as Gilgeous-Alexander shook off a sluggish first half to attain 20 of his 31 factors after the break, powering the Oklahoma City Thunder to a dominant 114-88 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals Tuesday evening.
Gilgeous-Alexander was flawless within the second half – no turnovers, all management – because the Thunder outscored Minnesota 70-40 to take command.
Early on, the Timberwolves’ protection gave Gilgeous-Alexander suits, holding him to only 2-of-13 taking pictures within the first half.
“We didn’t panic,” Gilgeous-Alexander stated. “We knew if we stuck with it, they would eventually fall – and they did.”
It was Gilgeous-Alexander’s fourth consecutive recreation with 30 or extra factors and his eighth in 12 playoff video games this season. He added a game-high 9 assists.
Oklahoma City trailed by 9 with slightly greater than a minute remaining within the first half earlier than the Thunder closed on a 6-1 run to chop the deficit to 4.
“To play as poorly offensively and not get knocked out was huge,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault stated. “We lost the rounds, but we didn’t get knocked out.”
In the second half, Daigneault moved Gilgeous-Alexander off the ball, and it helped the seemingly Most Valuable Player discover a rhythm.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 12 factors within the third quarter as Oklahoma City outscored Minnesota 32-18.
While Gilgeous-Alexander turned up the strain on offense, it was the Thunder’s protection that performed the largest function within the victory.
Oklahoma City scored 31 factors off 19 Timberwolves turnovers. Minnesota managed solely 10 factors off the Thunder’s 15 giveaways.
Jalen Williams added 19 factors and eight rebounds for the Thunder, whereas Chet Holmgren contributed 15 factors and 7 boards.
The Thunder shot 50% from the sphere and 11 of 21 (52.4%) from past the arc, whereas holding Minnesota to only 34.9% general and 15 of 51 (29.4%) from 3-point vary.
“Our offense affected our defense,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch stated. “That can’t happen.”
Oklahoma City’s 21 3-point makes an attempt have been its fewest of the season, whereas the Thunder outscored Minnesota 54-20 within the paint.
Julius Randle led Minnesota with 28 factors, scoring 20 within the first half. After going 5-for-6 on 3-point makes an attempt within the first half, Randle didn’t try a shot from past the arc within the second.
“I didn’t see, necessarily, anything different,” Finch stated of Randle’s quiet second half. “That’s on me. I’ve got to get him the ball.”
Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards completed with 18 factors and 9 rebounds. He tried only one shot – a miss – whereas enjoying seven minutes within the fourth quarter.
“I’ve definitely got to shoot more,” he stated.
Edwards left the sport after the primary quarter with an obvious proper ankle damage however returned 5 minutes into the second.
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