It’s just a matter of a few hours now. The flaglights and flashlights are ready to throw all the focus on Paycom Center. Time for the Minnesota Timberwolves to be the guests of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Oklahoma City Thunder. There’s no hiding that the Western Conference Finals are going to be a direct war between Anthony Edwards and SGA. And right before the game, there are a lot more warnings for the Wolves than for OKC.
On the Hoop Collective podcast, Brian Windhorst, Tim MacMahon, and Tim Bontemps shared their words of caution for Ant & Co. “I do expect there to be moments in this series where it’s going to be Ant and Shai going back and forth,” Windy said. “Not unlike it was Jokic and Shai going back and forth in this series.” This brings back memories of Anthony Edwards blocking Shai’s in a clutch moment in one of the late games of the regular season.
Meanwhile, Tim MacMahon pointed out, “Ant has to be careful about getting caught up in some kind of duel. One of the great things about Shai’s performance today [vs. Nuggets in Game 7] was that he didn’t feel like he had to put a cape on right away. It was a very patient, efficient, dominant performance. He didn’t come out feeling like he had to get up 12 shots in the first quarter. I think Ant’s got to — there’s got to be a balance.” In Game 7 vs. Denver, SGA didn’t have a point until the second quarter. But once he started, he became unstoppable, chipping 35 points in a matchup that mattered the most.
Jan 29, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) forces a turn over by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Now, Tim Bontemps sent a warning to Chris Finch’s stars: “Ant and Julius both can get very loose with the ball.” Against this Thunder team that finished the Regular Season with a 68-14 record, “you cannot get loose with the ball and let them get out and run and get dunks and start feeling good.” Especially in OKC, once that wild crowd comes alive, the Thunder shift gears fast. Suddenly, they’re flying. You’re chasing shadows. Blink, and they’re gone. Good luck keeping pace once the storm hits.
“You can’t force against the Thunder, man. Whether it’s turnovers, long rebounds, whatever, things can snowball real quick against that team,” Tim MacMahon gave his ultimate verdict. But one thing’s for sure, this WCF matchup is going to be one for generations to remember. The most probable MVP of 2025 vs. the most probable face of the league.
Speaking of stats, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander edges Anthony Edwards in most categories, with 24.4 PPG, 5.1 APG, and a .501 FG% over 462 games, compared to Edwards’ 23.9 PPG, 4.2 APG, and .446 FG% in 381 games. Shai boasts 2 All-NBA First Team nods, a scoring title, and better efficiency, while Edwards shines in the playoffs with 27.4 PPG over 37 games. Both are 3-time All-Stars, but Shai leads the career race—so far.
Now, SGA isn’t the only headache that Anthony Edwards & his team need to worry about. Alex Caruso is looming large, so are Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. Simply put, the entire roster of OKC posesa threat to the T’Wolves. However, there is one star that Finch needs to be careful about.
Amidst advice for Anthony Edwards, the Wolves locker room receives words of caution
“I will go ahead and predict right now that Julius Randle will be sick and tired of Alex Caruso by the end of this season,” Tim MacMahon told his co-hosts. “Seriously. Caruso ate Jaren Jackson Jr. alive in the first round, and Jaren Jackson Jr. is probably going to be an All-NBA player this year. A really good player.” In the first round of the playoff series, 31-year-old Caruso heckled JJJ on the court vs. the Grizzlies. You could say he was an absolute bully against the 25-year-old center.
Therefore, if Alex Caruso tags Julius Randle, the veteran power forward will face a troubling situation. MacMahon continued commending the Thunder superstar, “Caruso ate him [Jackson Jr.] up. I’m not going to sit here and tell you Caruso ate up Nikola Jokic today, because that’s not what happened, but he was a massive, massive factor in closing the series out.” Now, coming back to the Game 7 matchup vs. the Denver Nuggets, Caruso was appointed to tail Nikola Jokic. Do you know the percentage of interceptions? A whopping 80%!
Mar 12, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) controls the ball in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Brace yourselves, because the storm in Oklahoma is about to strike with full force. From Shai’s sharp dominance to Caruso’s defensive theatrics, the Thunder are loaded and lethal. Meanwhile, Anthony Edward and the Wolves stand on a cliff’s edge, staring at a roaring tide. So now, every possession counts. Every decision matters. And as the curtain rises, one question takes center stage—who will dance through the chaos, and who will the storm sweep away?
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