The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-88 in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, taking a 1-0 series lead. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) led the Thunder with 31 points, while Julius Randle paced the Timberwolves with 28 points. The Thunder outscored the Timberwolves by 30 points in the second half, overcoming a halftime deficit. A key factor in the game was SGA's ability to draw fouls, although some calls were controversial. Anthony Edwards of the Timberwolves expressed frustration with SGA's foul-drawing ability, even earning a technical foul in the first half. Despite Edwards' frustration, the Thunder's depth and second-half surge proved too much for the Timberwolves to handle.

The Timberwolves held a 48-44 lead at halftime, fueled by Randle's hot shooting. However, the Thunder's defense stiffened in the second half, limiting Minnesota's scoring opportunities. Oklahoma City's bench also outplayed Minnesota's reserves, contributing significantly to the win. Chet Holmgren's defensive presence was also crucial, as he helped to contain the Timberwolves' offense in the paint.

SGA struggled with his shot in the first half, shooting just 2-13 from the field. However, he found his rhythm in the second half, scoring 20 points. Despite his shooting struggles, SGA's ability to get to the free-throw line was a major factor in the game, as he finished with 14 free-throw attempts. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch expressed frustration with the calls SGA received, noting that some appeared to be exaggerated. Anthony Edwards also had a difficult night, scoring only 18 points on 5-13 shooting. He expressed a need to shoot more in Game 2 and adjust his offensive approach.

The Thunder's success in Game 1 can be attributed to their depth, defense, and SGA's ability to draw fouls. Holmgren's versatility and defensive impact were also highlighted by SGA. The Timberwolves, on the other hand, struggled with turnovers, poor shooting, and a lack of offensive consistency. They will need to make adjustments to their game plan to bounce back in Game 2.

Several NBA analysts and commentators weighed in on the game. Former Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone praised SGA, calling him the MVP. Others noted the physical nature of the series and the impact of SGA's foul-drawing ability on the game's officiating. The Timberwolves will need to address these issues and improve their overall performance to compete with the Thunder in the remainder of the series.

Key takeaways from the game include the Thunder's second-half dominance, SGA's scoring and foul-drawing ability, the Timberwolves' offensive struggles, and the impact of Holmgren's defense. The series is set for a competitive and physical battle, with both teams looking to make adjustments and improve their performance in Game 2.