It's something of a deflating notion for the Minnesota Timberwolves coming out of their two blowout losses to the Thunder in Oklahoma City this week to open their Western Conference finals series.
One of the great weaknesses that OKC was meant to have coming into the postseason is their decided lack of playoff experience, and if there was a way to get the Thunder to tumble after an impressive 68-win regular season, it appeared that attacking their inexperience in the postseason would be the ticket.
But there's one problem: On the trip to this year's West finals, the Thunder have managed to build up considerable playoff experience, especially in a grueling seven-game series against the tried-and-tested Denver Nuggets in the conference semis.
May 15, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault gestures in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets during game six of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault gestures in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets during game six of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena.
Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
“Our resolve in that series is what got sharpened,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said this week. “We had our backs against the wall and had to respond multiple times. ...
“Offensively that (Denver) series forced us to pivot quickly. They threw a ton of schemes at us and changed them very quickly. Minnesota’s done that the first two games. Our quickness in pivoting to the next attack and recognizing what they’re doing is better than at the beginning against Denver.”
And making matters all the more difficult from the Timberwolves perspective: This Thunder team has been blessed with great health throughout the postseason. All nine members of the team's regular rotation have been healthy for the team's 13 playoff games.
The Thunder filed their official injury report with the NBA again on Friday ahead of Saturday's pivotal Game 3, and there are no regular appearing on the report. The only name on the report is that of Nikola Topic, the rookie No. 12 overall pick who had knee surgery last summer and has yet to play this year.
The lead is only 2-0, but certainly, things have lined up nicely for the Thunder. Game 3 tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday from the Target Center.