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The 2025 NBA Western Conference finals feature the Oklahoma City Thunder traveling to Target Center to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night. The Thunder leads the series 2-0.
The Thunder defeated the Timberwolves 118-103 in Game 2 in Oklahoma City. The NBA’s MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, scored 38 points, while Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren contributed a combined total of 28 points.
The Thunder’s defense was impressive in Game 2. Lu Dort, who had received first-team All-Defensive honors, along with Williams, who earned second-team All-Defense earlier that day, led the charge. Their combined effort limited the Timberwolves to a shooting percentage of just 41%, helping secure the victory.
As the series shifts to Minneapolis, the Timberwolves are in dire need of a win to avoid a 3-0 deficit. Here’s how you can catch all the action in Game 3.
Thunder-Timberwolves pregame coach’s chatter
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said his team remains confident and just needs to start making shots.
“We have the utmost confidence,” Finch said about two hours before Game 3. “We’ve got to figure out the adjustments that we need to make. Just try to stay on an even keel. Guys have been putting effort it. They just haven’t made shots. We were very, very happy with the shots that we have been able to generate.
“Got to tighten some things up. We focused and highlighted on a lot of things that we’ve been doing well and got to bring the urgency to what tonight needs. That’s been our approach.”
Finch said it was important that the Timberwolves avoid the “five-minute meltdown” that hindered his team in the first two games.
Game 3 of the NBA’s Western Conference final series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.
How to watch Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: TV, stream
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Target Center (Minneapolis, MN)
- TV: ABC
- Stream: ESPN+, Fubo
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 3 predictions
The Oklahoman: Minnesota 110, OKC 108
Justin Martinez writes: “It’s hard to win a game in Oklahoma City. Every mistake is magnified by an electric Paycom Center crowd, and that energy fuels some huge OKC runs. But Minnesota will have the home crowd on its side this time, and it’ll be desperate to avoid a 3-0 series hole. I think the Thunder will win this series in five games, and I’m picking the Timberwolves’ lone win to come in Game 3.”
ESPN: Thunder have a 67% chance to win
According to ESPN’s Matchup Predictor, the Oklahoma City Thunder have a 67.1% chance to win Game 3 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Pickswise: Timberwolves
Staff writes: “What has really killed Minnesota is how badly the Wolves have gotten crushed from a turnover disparity perspective, particularly in those disastrous third quarters. Therefore, if Anthony Edwards and company are able to minimize those live-ball mistakes, that should take away a number of chances for Oklahoma City to get out on the break and generate easy points in transition. All things considered, I’ll take Minnesota to get in the win column at home.”
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 3 odds
The Oklahoma City Thunder are favored to win Game 3, according to BetMGM.
Odds as of Saturday, May 24.
- Spread: Thunder (-4.5)
- Moneyline: Thunder (-150), Timberwolves (+130)
- Over/under: 218.5
