OKC Thunder Take 2-0 Series Lead Over Timberwolves

In the Western Conference Finals bout between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves, Game 1 likely didn’t go as expected.

While the Thunder have been title favorites for some time, few were anticipating the second-half blowout that led to an eventual 26-point win for OKC. The Wolves won both their previous series in five games, and seemed to have a strong two-way product. Still, the Thunder coasted on Tuesday.

Tonight, the Thunder will look to take a nearly-insurmountable 2-0 advantage as Minnesota looks to tie the series.

Here were live updates for Game 2:

First Quarter: Thunder 29, Timberwolves 25

Both teams have gotten off to solid offensive starts, with Oklahoma City scoring 12 points on 60% shooting, and the Timberwolves trailing just behind with 10 points via tenacious rebounding. There's been a few lulls in the game from various stoppages.

The Thunder have looked the far more comfortable team so far, with MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams leading the charge with a variety of jumpers. Despite that, Minnesota have kept themselves in it early, scoring 18 points on 44% 3-point shooting.

The Wolves made a short run near the end of the quarter to dig into the lead. As a whole, the quarter was a competitive one, featuring high-level offense and defense from both teams.

Half: Thunder 58, Timberwolves 50

The Timberwolves played fast and free at the beginning of the second frame, securing a 32-31 lead in the process, ripping the deficit away from OKC.

Offense has continued to hum for both teams, with Oklahoma City doing so at the rim and in the mid-range, and Minnesota staying hot from downtown. The Wolves have shot 8-for-18 for 44% from three to make it 45-44, Thunder.

The team's would continue making mini runs back-and-forth, before a step-back 3-pointer and free throws from SGA would make it an eight-point lead just before half.

Three Quarter: Thunder 93, Timberwolves 71

The team's traded runs to start the half, beginning with OKC and concluding with the Wolves cutting the lead to just five. Minnesota forward Anthony Edwards has continued to stay aggressive, adding 18 point, though on 19 shots.

The Thunder offense would reignite, though — spurred by stingy defense — and a Luguentz Dort assist to Alex Caruso in transition would make it an 11-point game at 75-64.

OKC exploded in the middle of third as it did in Game 1, fueled by a Cason Wallace transition lob to Chet Holmgren to make the deficit 17.

The Thunder would keep their foot on the gas with frenetic defense and smooth offense, coasting to a 22-point lead entering the final quarter.

Final:

The Wolves would chip into the Thunder lead in the fourth quarter, getting it all the way down to 13 via a surge of offense from Naz Reid.

After re-inserting its MVP, Oklahoma City would stabalize the game before Minnesota took another run at it to make it an 11-point game with four minutes remaining.

Jalen Williams would hit a dagger 3-pointer to bring the lead to just 13 points with two minutes remaining, and OKC would take a 2-0 series lead.