The 2025 NBA conference finals have kicked off with intense matchups in both the Eastern and Western Conferences. The Oklahoma City Thunder, seeded No. 1, secured a decisive victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, thanks to a stellar performance by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 31 points.

Key Takeaways from the Thunder's Victory

• Defensive Prowess: The Thunder's defense was relentless, holding the Timberwolves to just 34.9% shooting from the floor and forcing 19 turnovers, which they converted into 31 points.
• Offensive Surge: After a slow start, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams took control in the third quarter, outscoring the Timberwolves by themselves and helping the Thunder build a double-digit lead.
• Bench Contribution: Chet Holmgren added 15 points, with nine coming in a crucial fourth-quarter flurry to keep the Timberwolves at bay.

Timberwolves' Struggles

• Offensive Inefficiency: Despite a strong first half, the Timberwolves' offense faltered, managing only 60 points on 20-for-70 shooting (28.6%) excluding Julius Randle's 28 points.
• Bench Woes: Minnesota's bench struggled significantly, with key players combining to shoot just 7-for-36 from the field.
• Injury Concern: Anthony Edwards tweaked his left ankle in the first half, finishing with 18 points on 5-for-13 shooting.

What to Watch in Game 2

• Paint Scoring: Minnesota needs to find a way to score in the paint after managing just 20 points in Game 1, tied for the fewest in this year's playoffs.
• 3-Point Shooting: The Timberwolves' ability to hit 3s could be crucial in pulling the Thunder's defense out of the paint.

Game 2 is set for Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, where the Timberwolves will look to bounce back and even the series before heading home for Game 3.