5 Key Takeaways from Timberwolves’ Game 2 Loss to Thunder
The Minnesota Timberwolves are now facing a 2-0 deficit in the Western Conference finals after falling 118-103 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 on Thursday.
The Thunder largely dominated the game, and the Timberwolves have a lot to figure out as the series shifts back to Minneapolis. Here are five notable moments from the loss:
1. Julius Randle’s Struggles
Randle, who had been one of the Timberwolves’ most consistent players this postseason, had a rough outing in Game 2. After a strong Game 1, he finished with just six points on 2-of-11 shooting, five rebounds, five assists, and four turnovers in 31 minutes. His struggles led coach Chris Finch to bench him in favor of Naz Reid in the fourth quarter. Reid, who contributed 10 points and eight boards, helped stretch the floor, and Randle’s minus-15 plus-minus reflected his tough night.
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Shines as MVP
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, recently named NBA MVP, showed why he earned that honor with a dominant performance. He stopped every Timberwolves run with clutch shots and finished with 38 points on 12-of-21 shooting, along with eight assists, three rebounds, and three steals. His plus-25 plus-minus was the second-best of the game, and he played 42 minutes, controlling the flow for the Thunder.
3. Anthony Edwards’ Aggression
Anthony Edwards came out aggressive, as he promised after Game 1. He doubled his shot attempts from the previous game, finishing with a team-high 32 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and zero turnovers. Despite his efforts, including a milestone where he became the Timberwolves’ all-time leading playoff scorer, his performance wasn’t enough to overcome a 22-point deficit. Edwards struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 1-of-9 from three.
4. Frustration Leads to Jaden McDaniels’ Flagrant
The Timberwolves’ frustrations boiled over in the fourth quarter, particularly for Jaden McDaniels. After a missed offensive foul call while defending Gilgeous-Alexander, McDaniels shoved the MVP to the ground, resulting in a Flagrant 1 foul after review. McDaniels downplayed the incident, saying he wasn’t angry but just had fouls to use. Despite this, he had a solid offensive showing, scoring 22 points, including four three-pointers, while also contributing three blocks.
5. Mike Conley’s Quiet Impact
While Mike Conley’s stat line — three points, three assists, and three rebounds — doesn’t jump off the page, his leadership was evident. Conley was the only Timberwolves player with a positive plus-minus in Game 2 (+14) and was also the only one in the plus during Game 1. When Conley was on the floor, the Timberwolves were a +19, but when he was off, they were a minus-60. Despite being 37, Conley’s steadying presence and ability to calm the offense during tough stretches might warrant an increased role in the coming games to help Minnesota find more consistency.
The #KiaMVP makes it look easy 🤩
SECOND HALF OF GAME 2 STARTS NOW ON ESPN! https://t.co/zniFVgjzrT pic.twitter.com/COMkS80AVq
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2025
With the Timberwolves down 2-0, Game 3 in Minneapolis will be crucial for their hopes of advancing to the NBA Finals.
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