The matchup of the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves is a match made for basketball fans.
On one side, you have the likely Most Valuable Player and the NBA's scoring champion in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. On the other is the explosive Anthony Edwards.
Both players are box office and must-see television whenever they grace the hardwood.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
May 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives around Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) during the second half during game one of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
© Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Stephen A. Smith picks winner of Thunder-Timberwolves
While those two names are on the marquee, the series, like most, will come down to the play of those around the superstar players.
Gilgeous-Alexander lit up the Denver Nuggets to the tune of 35 points, it was also significant for Jalen Williams.
Williams struggled at times in the Western Conference semifinals but seemed to find his groove in the all-decisive Game 7, scoring 24 points and dishing out seven assists.
Similar holds true on the other side, as Julius Randle's play was a major reason the Timberwolves advanced.
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith gave his verdict on the upcoming series and picked his winner.
"If Julius Randle shows up and plays the way he has played throughout these playoffs, I believe the Minnesota Timberwolves are going to the Finals," said Smith.
Smith has plenty of experience with Randle. As a Knicks fan, he was there for the high highs and the low lows that come with a Randle-led team. Now paired with a player like Edwards, it takes some of the pressure, figurative and literal, off of him.
Randle is averaging 23.9 points per game in the playoffs. Also, with Gobert doing much of the dirty work on defense and on the boards, it's allowed Randle to focus on scoring, and score he has.
It will be interesting to see how the Thunder guard Randle and whether Chet Holmgren gets the first crack at it.