THE future starts now in the NBA Western Conference Finals when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder tackle Anthony Edwards and the grizzled Minnesota Timberwolves in a series which kicks off on Wednesday morning (Philippine time).
Often looked at as the flag bearers of the next generation, both SGA and 'Antman' have more than lived up to those expectations with splendid performances in the post-season so far.
The Thunder was hardly challenged in the first round as they swept the Memphis Grizzlies before being taken to deep waters by Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, outlasting the former champions in seven games.
The Wolves, on the other hand, is yet to be challenged in this playoffs after a pair of five-game victories over LeBron, Luka and the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Golden State Warriors who lost Steph Curry in the series.
Before that action packed series kicks off tomorrow, here's everything you need to know about this match up!
Franchise First
The Timberwolves are one step away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time in their 36-season history.
After one Western Conference Finals appearance in its first 34 seasons, Minnesota has now made it in back-to-back seasons. With a series victory over the Thunder, the Timberwolves would join the 1994-95 Rockets as the only No. 6 seeds to advance to the NBA Finals under the current playoff format (since 1983-84).
Thunder Road
After one of the greatest regular seasons of all time and playoff-series victories over Memphis and Denver, Oklahoma City eyes its first NBA Finals berth since the 2011-12 season.
The Thunder went from 24-58 and the Draft Lottery in 2021-22; to 40-42 and the Play-In Tournament (where it was eliminated by the Timberwolves) in 2022-23; to 57-25 and the Western Conference Semifinals in 2023-24; to 68-14 and the Western Conference Finals so far this season.
SGA vs. Ant Man
2024-25 Kia NBA MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma City and fellow three-time NBA All-Star Anthony Edwards of Minnesota go head-to-head in the first playoff matchup between two of the league’s brightest young stars.
In the regular season, the 26-year-old Gilgeous-Alexander led the NBA in scoring for the first time and the 23-year-old Edwards ranked fourth. Each 2024-25 Kia All-NBA Team candidate seeks his first NBA Finals appearance.
Finals Destination
Playing in the NBA Finals would be a career first for every player on both rosters except one (the Thunder’s Alex Caruso played in the 2020 NBA Finals with the Lakers).
This would also be the first NBA Finals for either head coach, Minnesota’s Chris Finch and Oklahoma City’s Mark Daigneault, both former NBA G League head coaches who have climbed to the top of their profession.
Close Competition
Minnesota and Oklahoma City were evenly matched in the regular season: The teams split four meetings and the Timberwolves outscored the Thunder by a total of three points. In their most recent matchup (Feb. 24), the Timberwolves overcame a 25-point third-quarter deficit to stun the Thunder 131-128 in overtime in Oklahoma City.
Variety Show
Regardless of the series outcome, the Western Conference will have a different franchise in the NBA Finals for the sixth consecutive season. The last time there were six different Western Conference champions in a six-season span was 1972-73 – 1977-78.
Randle on a Roll
Minnesota’s Julius Randle is having a sensational playoff run in his first season with the Timberwolves after being unable to play in last season’s playoffs as a member of the Knicks due to injury.
Minnesota surged this season once the three-time NBA All-Star found his footing after being acquired at the start of training camp in a trade for longtime Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns. The Wolves are 30-6 in the last 36 games Randle has played, including 8-2 in the playoffs.
Ready for Their Close-Up
Oklahoma City’s young standouts take the Conference Finals stage for the first time as two-time Kia All-NBA First Team selection Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, first-time NBA All-Star Jalen Williams and 2022 No. 2 overall draft pick Chet Holmgren showcase their talents with an NBA Finals spot at stake.
This series is a homecoming for Holmgren, who was born and raised in Minneapolis and had his high school jersey retired there last year.
Strong Defense
Oklahoma City and Minnesota have the NBA’s two best playoff defenses after ranking first and sixth in regular-season defensive rating, respectively. With the likes of Luguentz Dort, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace and Jalen Williams creating havoc, the Thunder forces the most turnovers in the league.
The Timberwolves’ defense is anchored by four-time Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and 2023-24 Kia NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection Jaden McDaniels.
Conley’s Quest
Minnesota’s Mike Conley seeks the first NBA Finals appearance of his 18-year career. Only one player has ever played in his first NBA Finals in his 18th season or later (Kevin Willis).
One of the most respected players in the game, the 37-year-old Conley has won the NBA Sportsmanship Award a record four times and the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award twice.
Family Ties
Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Minnesota’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker are first cousins who were teammates at a Tennessee high school and on Team Canada at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and 2024 Paris Olympics.
The two guards are very close, like brothers, and they figure to defend each other in this series. Drafted in the first round one year apart, SGA has blossomed into a potential Kia NBA MVP for the Thunder and NAW has emerged as a key reserve for the Timberwolves.
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