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Nightly Pulse: NBA News & Highlights from May 20

Follow along as we update all the happenings in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals

NBA.com Staff

🏀Tuesday’s Playoff Schedule🏀

 

Oklahoma City Thunder 114, Minnesota Timberwolves 88 (Final)

OKC leads this series, 1-0.

Game 2 is in OKC on Thursday.

Top Storylines of the Night 👉📝

Oklahoma City takes down Game 1, 114-88.

Despite a close first half, OKC outscored Minnesota in the second half, 70-40.

They dominated in all facets, with the Thunder shooting 50 percent from the field and 52 percent from three-point range while holding the Timberwolves to 35 percent from the field and 29 percent from long range.

They also recorded 13 steals while forcing 17 turnovers from the T’Wolves.

Game 2 will be in OKC on Thursday.

🌟🌟 Top Performers of the Night 🌟

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led OKC with 31 points, five rebounds, nine assists and three steals.

Julius Randle had 28 points and eight rebounds on 9-of-13 shooting.

Jalen Williams tallied 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists and five steals.

Anthony Edwards accrued 18 points, nine rebounds and three assists.

Chet Holmgren collected 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

Thunder Defeat T’Wolves in Game 1, 114-88 ⚡⚡⚡

OKC took command of this game with a 20-6 run to end the third quarter, outscoring Minnesota in the second half, 70-40.

The Thunder forced 17 turnovers from the Timberwolves while recording 13 steals.

They also shot 50 percent from the field and 52 percent from three-point range while holding Minnesota to 35 percent from the field and 29 percent from long range.

Game 2 is in OKC on Thursday.

Thunderstorms in OKC 🌩️🌩️🌩️

OKC is up to a game-high 13-point lead with SGA shooting a free-throw.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes this circus shot to cap off another run.

It’s not easy to make a bucket on your knees!

They lead 91-77 midway through the fourth quarter.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (ESPN/ESPN2, Live)

Thunder Lead T’Wolves After 3Q, 76-66 🌩️🌩️🌩️

Minnesota led 60-56, but OKC closed the quarter on a 20-6 run to take their largest lead of the game.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is up to 23 points, five rebounds, seven assists and three steals.

Jalen Williams jas 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists and five steals.

Julius Randle went scoreless that quarter but still leads Minnesota with 20 points and four rebounds.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (ESPN/ESPN2, Live)

Second Half is Underway 🎥

OKC is off to a hot start, kickstarting the half on a 7-2 run.

They’ve extended their lead since then, grabbing a game-high six-point lead, thanks to a 10-0 run.

They lead 66-60 midway through the third quarter.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (ESPN/ESPN2, Live)

Minnesota Leads OKC at the Half, 48-44 🌲🌲

Julius Randle leads all scorers with 20 points and three rebounds on 6-of-8 shooting.

Anthony Edwards has 13 points and five boards.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads OKC with 11 points and four assists, despite shooting 2-of-13 from the field.

Both teams are shooting below 38 percent from the field.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (ESPN/ESPN2, Live)

Julius Randle is Cookin’ 🍳🍳

Randle has 18 points on 6-of-8 from the field and 5-of-6 from three-point range midway through the second quarter.

Minnesota leads OKC, 40-36.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (ESPN/ESPN2, Live)

T’Wolves Lead Thunder After Q1, 23-20 🐺🐺

Both teams shot below 40 percent from the field but Minnesota shooting 5-of-11 from three was the difference in that opening frame.

Free throws have kept OKC in it, shooting 7-of-11 while Minnesota is just 2-of-3.

The T’Wolves have also out-rebounded the Thunder, 15-7.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (ESPN/ESPN2, Live)

Minnesota 8-0 Start  𓃦 𓃦 𓃦

Some were worried about a slow start from the T’Wolves after nearly a week off, but that’s certainly not the case.

Minnesota has hit its first three shots and has an early 8-0 lead.

Jaden McDaniels scored the first five points.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (ESPN/ESPN2, Live)

Game 1 is Live on ESPN  🎬  🎥  🔴  ▶

The Conference Finals are finally underway, with OKC and Minnesota kickstarting the Western Conference Finals.

This is a true tale of a new guard in the NBA, with youngsters like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards running these teams.

Tune into ESPN or ESPN2 to see the action

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (ESPN/ESPN2, 6:30 ET)

T’Wolves Starting Five 🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺

Minnesota has been one of the most impressive teams so far, taking care of the Golden State Warriors in five games.

Anthony Edwards has elevated his game to a new level, averaging 26.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.

Julius Randle has also been remarkable, averaging 23.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (ESPN/ESPN 2, 6:30 ET)

Thunder Starting Unit ⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 29 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.5 steals in this playoff run.

Jalen Williams is averaging 19.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game.

The bench has been critical for OKC, with Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso stepping up big time in the Denver series.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (ESPN/ESPN 2, 6:30 ET)

SGA Pregame Fit 😍😍

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the MVP frontrunner and he’s shown why through the opening two rounds.

SGA is averaging 29 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.5 steals in this postseason run.

Those are on par with his regular-season numbers, but he’ll have a tough test against a terrifying T’Wolves defense.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (ESPN/ESPN 2, 6:30 ET)

Top Storylines 👉📝

The T’Wolves and Thunder kickstart the Western Conference Finals.
The Thunder were the prohibitive favorite coming into these playoffs, but it took them seven games with the Denver Nuggets to get to this point.
The Timberwolves had a much easier path, beating the Golden State Warriors in five games to advance to this point.
It’ll be exciting to see how these teams show up in Game 1, with these teams splitting their four regular-season matchups.

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