After the way the Thunder ground down Minnesota in the first two game of the Western Conference finals this week, each time taking games that were competitive at varying stages of the second half and unraveling them into blowouts, it would be difficult to find many reasons for hope for the Timberwolves in the series.
The Timberwolves were outscored by 41 points in the two games in Oklahoma City, and were left looking like a burned-out hull of themselves on the offensive end. Minnesota shot a measly 38.2% from the field in the losses, and 28.9% from the 3-point line.
They were beaten on the boards, 88-83, and in turnovers, 33-23. OKC's offensive rating of 120.4 dwarfed their 99.1 rating.
May 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) in the third quarter during game two of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5)
Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
But yet, with the series turning to the Target Center, there is still cause for good vibes in Minnesota. On Friday, before the Wolves are slated to take on the Thunder again on Saturday night in Game 3, the team put out a post with a clear message for the team and its fans.
There's still room to believe in this group. Minnesota has not had a three-game losing streak since a run of losses in late December and early January.
The team posted on X, "We believe."
The post featured Nickeil Alexander-Walker from Thursday's postgame interview saying, "This is a great group and I feel I believe in this group. I feel like we have that competitiveness and it will be just be a huge disappointment if we don't bring that competitiveness to try to win."
Alexander was the No. 3 scorer on the team on Thursday, going for 17 points off the bench behind star Anthony Edwards (32 points) and Jaden McDaniels (22 points). Those numbers are part of a winning formula for the Wolves, but the six points that star forward Julius Randle had are a sore spot for the team.
Game 3 will tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.