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Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves exchanges phrases with the Oklahoma City Thunder all through the fourth quarter in Game Two of the Western Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 22, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
The Minnesota Timberwolves know that point is operating out for them to make a run on the NBA Finals.
The Timberwolves will attempt to lend a hand their reason after they play the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference finals on Saturday night time in Minneapolis. The Thunder lead the best-of-seven sequence 2-0, and the Timberwolves want to shield their house courtroom with a view to keep away from an abrupt finish to the season.
READ: NBA: Thunder weigh down Timberwolves once more for 2-0 lead
“We’ve got to be desperate,” Timberwolves ahead Jaden McDaniels stated. “Every possession matters. Every game, everything matters. We’ve just got to be super desperate and play smart.”
The Thunder have depended on sensible play to win the primary two video games. They rallied in the second one part for a 114-88 victory in Game 1 ahead of notching a 118-103 win in Game 2.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is main the Thunder with 34.5 issues in keeping with recreation throughout the sequence’ first two video games. He is also averaging 8.5 assists and 4 rebounds in keeping with recreation.
It has been a distinct week for Gilgeous-Alexander, who additionally introduced house the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award. He praised his trainer, Mark Daigneault, for main the staff and serving to along with his construction.
“I’m going to be nice. Mark is insane,” Gilgeous-Alexander joked. “Now, he’s insane in one of the simplest ways imaginable. He is so irritating with how specific he’s with little issues. … He’s so targeted at the issues that subject, and he does now not let the ones slip it doesn’t matter what.
READ: NBA: Timberwolves search solutions vs Thunder’s ‘AAU’ protection
“And it doesn’t matter if it’s raining outside, sunny outside, I just had 100 points, I just had two points. He holds me to a standard that never wavers.”
The similar is correct for Gilgeous-Alexander’s teammates. Jalen Williams is averaging 22.5 issues and Chet Holmgren is scoring 18.5 ppg within the sequence as Holmgren returns to his house state of Minnesota.
The Timberwolves are led by means of Anthony Edwards, who’s averaging 25 issues and 9 rebounds throughout the first two video games of the sequence. Edwards will attempt to discover a higher rhythm after capturing 43.6 p.c total and 23.5 p.c from 3-point vary throughout Games 1 and 2.
Three different Timberwolves avid gamers are scoring in double digits all through the sequence: Julius Randle (17.0 issues in keeping with recreation), McDaniels (14.5) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (12.5).
READ: NBA: Rested Timberwolves glance listless in Game 1 loss to Thunder
Randle is keen to dance again in Game 3 after suffering on Thursday. He watched from the bench all through key moments within the fourth quarter, and he’s decided to stick at the courtroom in crucial moments Saturday.
“For the most part, (I was) probably just standing and spectating a little bit too much,” Randle stated. “I’ve got to get myself into action, get myself on the move.”
Meanwhile, the Thunder are desperate to proceed to pressure turnovers in opposition to the Timberwolves. Minnesota has dedicated 10 extra turnovers than Oklahoma City all through the primary two video games of the sequence.
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“It’s really about what level of discomfort we’re able to put on the opponent,” Daigneault stated. “If that’s inefficient shots, or long possessions, or making them work for everything, or a turnover — we don’t really worry about what the outcome of those possessions are. We’re just trying to make sure we control what we can control.”
