Camille Naredo

Alex Caruso #9, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 and Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on during the game against the Denver Nuggets during Round 2 Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on May 13, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Garrett Ellwood, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP 

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 13: Alex Caruso #9, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 and Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on during the game against the Denver Nuggets during Round 2 Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on May 13, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE   Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Garrett Ellwood / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP)

Article (news)

2025 NBA Playoffs - Denver Nuggets v Oklahoma City Thunder - Game Five

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1747972855739AFP__20250514__2214380749__v1__Preview__2025NbaPlayoffsDenverNuggetsVOklahomaCityThu.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Alex Caruso #9, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 and Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on during the game against the Denver Nuggets during Round 2 Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on May 13, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Garrett Ellwood, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Alex Caruso #9, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 and Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on during the game against the Denver Nuggets during Round 2 Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on May 13, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. <em>Garrett Ellwood, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP </em></span></span></span></div><p>WASHINGTON -- Newly crowned NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to an imposing 118-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves to open up a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals on Thursday.</p><p>Gilgeous-Alexander was presented with his MVP award on court before the game but any suggestions that the celebrations would distract from the task at hand quickly evaporated.</p><p>Roared on by a loud and passionate home crowd, the Canadian top-scored for the Thunder with 38 points and added eight assists and three rebounds.</p><p>OKC heads to Minnesota on the back of their 60th win by double figures this season and in buoyant mood.</p><p>The Timberwolves will take some encouragement from a strong showing from Anthony Edwards, who after disappointing in Game One, posted 32 points with six assists and nine rebounds.</p><p>But if they are to fight their way back into this series they will need to tighten up their defense, improve on 41.4 percent field-goal shooting and get more out of Julius Randle who was restricted to six points.</p><p>Afer a tight first half, the game was won by a blistering third quarter from the Thunder, who outscored Minnesota by 14 points.</p><p>A Chet Holmgren alley-oop dunk with 2:54 left in the quarter opened up a 17-point 82-65 lead.</p><p>Although the Timberwolves were able to reduce the deficit to 10 points in the fourth, the outcome was never in real doubt.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ug4-UUMpW2U?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>Jalen Williams had 26 points and 10 rebounds and Holmgren added 22 points for the Thunder.</p><p>Gilgeous-Alexander said the team&#x27;s ability to go on strong runs had its roots in their strong defense.</p><p>&quot;It feels good. It starts with getting stops though, it always does. We get stops, we&#x27;re able to play fast, play to our strengths, play in the open court, be special,&quot; he said.</p><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div>

<p>Newly crowned NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to an imposing 118-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves to open up a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals on Thursday.</p>

Newly crowned NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to an imposing 118-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves to open up a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals on Thursday.

NBA: Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder to 2-0 lead over Minnesota

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NBA: Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder to 2-0 lead over Minnesota

Agence France-Presse

Published May 23, 2025 12:00 PM PHT

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Updated May 23, 2025 12:01 PM PHT

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