In a regular season that ended with 58 wins and only 14 losses, the Thunder showcased extraordinary solidity on both ends of the floor. Yet among the very few teams capable of truly challenging coach Daigneault’s well-oiled system are the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Why? A combination of physicality, depth in the frontcourt, and precise tactical execution. Oklahoma City boasts the best paint defense in the league and has managed, at least in part, to contain Anthony Edwards’ unpredictable offense. But the results of the head-to-head matchups with Minnesota speak for themselves: it all came down to shooting percentages.
When OKC found consistency from beyond the arc, the game flowed naturally in their favor. But when those percentages dipped – and in this postseason, the Thunder have been struggling from outside – Minnesota’s physicality came into play. Their ability to control the boards, win every loose ball, and quickly turn defense into transition offense has flipped the script, exposing one of the few weaknesses of Oklahoma’s young squad.
The trio of Julius Randle, Naz Reid, and Rudy Gobert is a silent but deadly weapon: they don’t dominate the offense like a Jokic, but they fit perfectly into coach Finch’s system. Defense, cutting, rolling to the rim, cleaning up under the basket – simple elements, but devastating when executed consistently.
That’s why Minnesota can be a real threat. If the Thunder don’t quickly find answers on the glass and improve their shooting percentages, their path to the NBA Finals could seriously slip away.
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Author: Team Dunkest
May 19, 2025 | 10:15 am
