The Western Convention Finals are on the horizon, they usually couldn’t get right here quickly sufficient.
The 68-win No. 1 seed Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder and the red-hot No. 6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves are set to tip off a seven-game collection in Oklahoma Metropolis on Tuesday evening with a traditionally important NBA Finals berth on the road.
For hoop purists, this can be a matchup for the ages. Anthony Edwards, the 23-year-old future face of the NBA, is main his rag-tag group of Timberwolves into battle towards probably the most dominant regular-season staff for the reason that 2016 Golden State Warriors. Being cautious of hyperbole, it’s a matchup that has a considerable bearing on how the legacies of this era of stars might be outlined.
Whereas Edwards’ bravado instructions the headlines, the quiet killer by the identify of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Oklahoma Metropolis is the one on the verge of already becoming a member of uncommon historic firm.
SGA On The Option to Historical past
With the 2025 NBA MVP Award all however within the bag pending announcement, Gilgeous-Alexander is looking for to turn out to be simply the fifth participant within the final 25 years to win an MVP and an NBA title in the identical season. His potential firm? Solely Shaq, Tim Duncan, LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
Whereas his MVP candidacy has been the topic of loads of debate alongside Nikola Jokic, SGA’s efficiency towards the Denver Nuggets in Recreation 7 was the efficiency of a participant on an all-time nice trajectory. Together with his career-defining season basically on trial towards his greatest competitor in Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander tallied a game-high 35 factors on 12-of-19 taking pictures to steer his staff to a decisive 125-93 win.
Nevertheless it wasn’t simply SGA’s MVP candidacy on trial, the Thunder’s status as a corporation hung within the steadiness. Regardless of incomes their second consecutive No. 1 seed within the Western Convention, the Thunder have been on the verge of being despatched house within the second spherical twice in a row as nicely.
“I used to be nervous, to be trustworthy,” Gilgeous-Alexander stated. “Simply understanding what’s on the road. We’ve labored so laborious the entire 82-game season, we’ve all labored laborious in the summertime. To know should you don’t deliver your A-game, it may all be over with, all for nothing. However I believe that nervousness motivated me and helped me give my all on each ends of the ground and I used it to my benefit.”
Because of the efficiency of their celebrity Gilgeous-Alexander and his elite forged of teammates, together with Jalen Williams, the 68-win Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder stay heavy favorites to win their first NBA championship.
Phased By Nothing
If there’s one participant and one staff within the NBA that’s going to embrace a matchup with such historic implications, it’s Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Ant-Man has already earned a status because the NBA’s “Legend Killer”, even getting a co-sign from the unique Legend Killer, WWE celebrity Randy Orton.
.@theantedwards_ ☠️ 💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/yiJrpLq6Td
— Randy Orton (@RandyOrton) Might 5, 2025
Edwards lived as much as that nickname within the first spherical, sending LeBron and the Los Angeles Lakers packing in a gentleman’s sweep. Although Curry received harm in Recreation one, Edwards did pack “Playoff Jimmy” Butler and first-ballot Corridor-of-Famer Draymond Inexperienced’s baggage for Cancun with one other gentleman’s sweep.
Whereas Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t but stamped as a legend, ending the soon-to-be introduced MVP’s historic march to the NBA Finals in its tracks is a a lot completely different activity than knocking off an ageing celebrity. The Timberwolves fell brief within the Western Convention Finals towards Dallas final season and that staff wasn’t almost as menacing as this Thunder group.
Edwards was simply targeted on ensuring his staff remained recent regardless of 5 consecutive off-days coming into the collection.
“(It feels completely different this 12 months) as a result of we received slightly break,” Edwards stated. “We received like 4 or 5 days to relaxation up, get therapy. So yeah, it feels slightly completely different, much more rested for certain. There’s actually no advantage of going by way of it final 12 months, we’re simply making an attempt to be extra ready this 12 months and never come out sluggish in Recreation one with all this day without work that we have now.”
If Edwards will get it achieved and caps it off with a hoop, it is a championship run that will arguably surpass Dirk Nowitzki’s in 2011 when it comes to prowess.
Prediction
My prediction? Oklahoma Metropolis in six video games. SGA has been probably the most constant performer within the NBA this season and I’m assured in Mark Daigenault’s skill to scheme towards Edwards, Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle. Particularly given the essential on-the-fly adjustment he made in recreation seven towards Denver, transferring Alex Caruso onto Jokic and successfully handicapping the 3-time MVP. It was a essential reminder that the Thunder aren’t only a juggernaut on each ends of the ground however additionally they have one within the coach’s chair. That’s a championship staff.
