The playoff fever took over the Paycom Center as the Oklahoma City Thunder took on the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Both teams are eyeing their maiden NBA championship, as the Thunder drew first blood in the series. After struggling to find their stride in the first half, the Thunder blew off the Wolves with a 17-2 run in the second half. Feeding on their home crowd’s energy, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Co. outscored the Wolves to claim a 114-88 win on Tuesday night. OKC did play well in the second half, but was that all? Or is there more to it?
“We try to play to our identity.” This is what SGA had to say after he and the Thunder claimed a 1-0 lead in the Finals. However, Minnesota did the exact opposite. Anthony Edwards and Co. looked nothing like themselves in the latter stages of the game. But what happened? Well, the Wolves did start the game well and were getting good looks. However, in the second half, they looked lackluster and missed several shots. According to Tim Bontemps of ESPN, there was an underlying reason for Minnesota’s shooting troubles late in the game.
“Going another stat from statements about Anthony Edwards. His average shot distance per distance in this game was 25.8 feet per Genius IQ, which is formerly the second spectrum. The longest of any game in his career, regular season, or playoffs.” Bontemps revealed. The ESPN reporter pointed out that Edwards, who went 5-of-13 from the field, took shots further away than he has in his entire career. This might’ve been the reason why he missed so many shots. This is concerning news for the Timberwolves, as Edwards is their main scorer, and if he doesn’t perform well, they can be in deep trouble.
Oct 13, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) looks on during the first half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
However, Tim Bontemps also talked about a bright spot that has appeared despite this defeat. “Now, again, if you’re Minnesota, I think you look at this and say, you know, Naz Reid, very good shooter, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, very good shooter, Donte DiVincenzo, very good shooter. They combined to go 4 for 23, four for 24 on open threes in this game. You expect those guys to hit more shots. I think we’ll expect Anthony Edwards to leap better in game two. But if they can make open shots and not turn the ball over, I think there’s every reason to think they could score with the Thunder team that we’ve seen repeatedly struggle to you going offensively.”
Indeed, it wasn’t a good day at the office for the Wolves, especially for their second unit. Usually, Naz Reid, Donte DiVincenzo, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker provide the much-needed spark from the bench. However, the trio went for 5-of-28 from beyond the arc, piling up on the team’s misery. Nonetheless, Bontemps stated that this is something that isn’t going to happen in every game, and Minnesota will reflect upon this terrible performance. Moreover, it’s safe to assume ANT will also level up his game for round two against OKC. However, an ESPN journalist spotted something unusual in Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle’s performances.
Unusual behavior by Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle was spotted in Game 1
The Minnesota Timberwolves have already taken care of business against top teams such as the Lakers and the Warriors. However, they will have to pull off something special against the OKC Thunder, something they certainly did not do on Tuesday night. Julius Randle started the game strong, scoring 20 points in the first half. But slowed down, while his partner, Anthony Edwards, looked like a mere shadow of himself. But what happened? According to Brian Windhorst, it was Randle and Edwards’ unusual gameplay that cost Minnesota the game.
Oct 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) celebrates his basket with forward Julius Randle (30) against the Dallas Mavericks in the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
“Randal cooled off, and nobody else ever got going for Minnesota. Randal didn’t so much cool off. He stopped shooting. Right, right. And Ant really never started shooting.” Windhorst said on his podcast, Brian Windhorst & The Hoops Collective. “Ant took 13 shots in this game. Right. It is his fewest in a playoff game this season.” Indeed, Julius Randle was a lone warrior against the Thunder. The 30-year-old forward finished the night with 28 points, out of which 20 came in the first half, which speaks volumes.
Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards wasn’t able to find his footing in the game after rolling his ankle in the first half. He just attempted 13 shots, the fewest he’s ever attempted in a playoff game. In fact, this was something he himself pointed out postgame. “I definitely got to shoot more,” Edwards said. “I only took 13 f—ing shots. Probably just to get off the ball a little more, play without the ball. I think that will be the answer.” Of course, he and the T-Wolves will have to figure out how to break the Thunder’s tactics, which seem to be working great. It will be interesting to see how they approach the second game, as everyone awaits Game 2.
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