THUNDERING AWAY
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was presented with the MVP award before Game 2 of the Western Conference finals on Thursday.
Then the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar went out and showed why he earned the award.
Gilgeous-Alexander tied his career playoff high with 38 points to help the Thunder beat the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves, 118-103, on Thursday to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
“I thought about coming out and just forcing the first couple shots,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
Instead, Gilgeous-Alexander leaned heavily on his supporting cast early, attempting just three shots through the midpoint of the second quarter and making it far from a one-man show, as Jalen Williams finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds and Chet Holmgren added 22 points.
“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.”
Oklahoma City’s Lu Dort was named first-team all-defense and Williams was named second-team all-defense earlier in the day. They helped anchor a unit that held Minnesota to 41.4-percent shooting.
“When you win games, you do it together and you have fun out there, everything else—all the individual stuff you want—it comes with it,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
Anthony Edwards scored 32 points, but it took him 26 shots to get them. Jaden McDaniels scored 22 points and Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 17 for the Timberwolves.
Game 3 is on Saturday in Minneapolis.
Gilgeous-Alexander hit a 3-pointer with 16 seconds left in the first half, then made a pair of free throws with three seconds remaining to help Oklahoma City take a 58-50 lead. He still scored 19 points before the break.
Franchise-best streak
“We didn’t close the half very well,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch said. “I thought if we close the half better, then we don’t put ourselves on such a razor edge in the third.”
“It’s impressive how fast he’s able to turn the page,” Williams said of Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance after the pregame MVP ceremony. “The flow of emotions that probably go through your head … he’s able to push those aside. And to have the night he had tonight is really impressive.”
Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 30 or more points in five consecutive games, tying the longest such streak in franchise playoff history. He already shared the marks with Gus
Williams.
Edwards said he needed to shoot more in Game 2 after attempting just 13 shots on Tuesday in a 114-88 loss. He was aggressive on offense from the start on Thursday, attempting 10 shots in the first quarter (and making four) while adding three assists.
Edwards finished with 12 of 26 from the floor, but just 1 of 9 on three-point attempts. He also contributed nine rebounds and six assists.
