Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showed exactly why he just won MVP, dropping 38 points the day after snagging the league’s top honor.
The Thunder rolled over the Timberwolves again, 118–103 on Thursday night at Paycom Center, and now they’re just two wins away from an NBA Finals berth.
Shai was everywhere, after he went 12-21 from the field, 13-15 at the line, plus recorded eight assists and three steals, certainly not a bad way to celebrate getting your trophy in front of a raucous home crowd before tip-off.
“I feel like all my emotions were so high, but I was a little bit tired out there, especially at the start,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I was a little too juiced up. Special moment. I’m happy we won so I can really enjoy the last couple days and soak it up. That really helps.”
Jalen Williams chipped in with a strong 26-point, 10-rebound night, and Chet Holmgren added 22 for OKC.
Through two games, the Thunder have outscored Minnesota by a combined 41 points. And just for context—when a team wins the first two games of a series by 15+ points, history’s on their side: 44 of the last 48 teams in that spot went on to win, per ESPN.
“When you win games, you do it together and you have fun out there,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Everything else, all the individual stuff you want, it comes with it.”
For the Wolves, Anthony Edwards led the way with 32 points, though it took him 26 shots to get there. Jaden McDaniels added 22, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker put up 17.
Shai closed the first half with a dagger three, then knocked down two free throws just before the buzzer to give OKC a 58–50 lead. He had 19 before halftime.
Minnesota coach Chris Finch wasn’t thrilled with how his team finished the second quarter and his team will need to do more in Game 3 to hold off a sweep.
“We didn’t close the half very well,” he said. “I thought if we close the half better then we don’t put ourselves on such a razor edge in the third.”
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