The Minnesota Timberwolves season came to an end last night losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder 124-94, in a complete domination as the Thunder will move on to their first NBA Finals appearance since the 2011-2012 season.
From the opening tip off you could tell that Oklahoma City was on a mission, and the Minnesota Timberwolves were a shell of their normal selves.
After a quiet Game 4, both Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards would lead the team in scoring with just 24 points coming from Randle, and 19 coming from Edwards. Another 11 points from Naz Reid and Terrance Shannon Jr. would sum up the scoring for the Wolves.
Oklahoma City who could feel the Finals coming early in the game would have a dominate showing from their three main stars on the court, MVP Winner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 34 points, Big man Chet Holmgren finished with 22 points, and Jalen Williams finished with 19. The Thunders defense would again be a highlight reel for the team forcing 21 more turnovers from the Timberwolves and scoring 18 off those turnovers.
With the loss, the Minnesota Timberwolves enter the season with a couple of questions to ask. Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle proved to be a good duo during the season, but who will establish themselves as the third option? Jaden McDaniels was inconsistent throughout the 3 playoff series the wolves played in, and another consistent scorer on the team could help.
Another question needed to be answered this offseason is the future of the “Big-Man” on the team. Rudy Gobert other than a couple blocked shots, was ineffective in the series against the Thunder, while the Thunders Big man Chet Holmgren was seen making threes, throwing down a slam dunk behind the Wolves’ defense constantly throughout the series. Could a trade or a signing of a consistent and scoring big man help the wolves against teams that are built similar to the Thunder?
OKC will await the winner of the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers series, with the Thunder looking to win their first title AS the Thunder in the NBA Finals. Indiana currently leads the series 3-1 with a chance to clinch a finals appearance tonight in New York.
Photo Credit: The NBA, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA Players Association
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