The 2025 NBA Western Conference Finals are underway—and the Oklahoma City Thunder just sent a loud message in Game 1.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander erupted for 31 points, including a monstrous second half, as the Thunder dismantled the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-88 on May 20, 2025, at the Paycom Center. Despite Julius Randle’s 28-point effort, Minnesota couldn’t keep pace with OKC’s relentless pace and defensive lockdown. In this full game recap, we break down every pivotal quarter, key moment, and highlight that defined this explosive playoff opener.
📌 Game Details: 🏀 Thunder 114 - Timberwolves 88 📍 Paycom Center, Oklahoma City 📅 May 20, 2025 👑 MVP Watch: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31 pts, 20 in 2nd half) Kenrich Williams' back-to-back threes ignite key third-quarter run 🔥 OKC outscored MIN 70–40 in the second half
📽️ Watch the full breakdown now and don’t miss a moment from the 2025 NBA Playoffs!
👇 LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE for more NBA playoff recaps, SGA highlights, and Western Conference drama!
00:00The 2025 NBA Western Conference Finals tipped off on May 20th, 2025 at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City,
00:08featuring a highly anticipated clash between the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder and the six-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves.
00:17The Thunder, led by newly crowned MVP shy Gilgis Alexander,
00:22entered the series with momentum after a hard-fought seven-game victory over the Denver Nuggets.
00:28Conversely, the Timberwolves were riding high after dispatching both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors in five games each.
00:37Game one set the tone for what promised to be a thrilling series, with the Thunder asserting their dominance early on.
00:44Welcome to Jintotsky Sports, your spot for all things sports.
00:49From legendary moments in big-time plays to inspiring stories and deep dives,
00:54we bring you the content that keeps the game alive.
00:57If you love sports as much as we do, hit that subscribe button and let's get into it.
01:02The opening quarter saw both teams feeling each other out, with the score remaining tight throughout.
01:09The Timberwolves managed to edge ahead slightly, capitalizing on a few defensive lapses by the Thunder.
01:16However, Oklahoma City's resilience kept the game within reach, ending the quarter with a narrow deficit.
01:23In the second quarter, the Thunder began to find their rhythm.
01:27Shy Gilgis Alexander started to assert himself offensively, orchestrating plays and finding his teammates for open shots.
01:36The Timberwolves struggled to contain Oklahoma City's ball movement, leading to high-percentage shots and a gradual shift in momentum.
01:44By halftime, the Thunder had seized the lead, setting the stage for a dominant second half.
01:51The third quarter was a showcase of the Thunder's offensive prowess and defensive tenacity.
01:57Gilgis Alexander exploded for 20 of his 31 points in the second half, leading a 10-0 run that extended Oklahoma City's lead to 66-60.
02:08Kenrich Williams provided a spark off the bench, hitting consecutive three-pointers to push the lead to 71-62.
02:17The Thunder's defense stifled the Timberwolves, limiting their scoring opportunities and forcing turnovers.
02:25By the end of the quarter, Oklahoma City held a commanding 76-66 lead.
02:31In the final quarter, the Thunder continued their dominance.
02:35Their defense remained impenetrable, and their offense continued to click.
02:41The Timberwolves, despite Julius Randle's 28 points, couldn't mount a comeback.
02:46Oklahoma City's balanced scoring and cohesive team play sealed the victory, with a final score of 114-88.
02:55The Thunder's second-half performance, outscoring the Timberwolves 70-40, underscored their superiority in Game 1.
03:03The Oklahoma City Thunder's Game 1 victory was a statement of intent.
03:08Their combination of star power, depth, and defensive intensity overwhelmed the Minnesota Timberwolves.
03:17Shai Gilgis Alexander's leadership and scoring prowess, particularly in the second half, were instrumental in the win.
03:24As the series progresses, the Timberwolves will need to make significant adjustments to counter the Thunder's multifaceted attack and regain footing in the Western Conference Finals.
03:35If that video hit home or gave you something to think about, drop a like and let me know what you think in the comments.
03:45Don't forget to subscribe for more stories that bring the heart of sports to life.
03:51Until next time, stay inspired and keep chasing greatness.
