Shai Gilgeous-Alexander overcame a slow start, scoring 31 points, allowing the Oklahoma City Thunder to beat Minnesota Timberwolves 114-88 at home in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
It was Gilgeous-Alexander's fourth straight game, his eighth game of the season and his eighth game of 12 playoffs. He also added a game-high nine assists on Tuesday.
With seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander performed with a spectacular performance of the hockey. The All-Star Guard drove towards the basket and started falling, but before he turned the ball towards the hoop when he fell.
The ball briefly circumvented the rim and then dropped, and Jaden McDaniels was asked to foul.
Gilgeous-Alexander ended the 3-pointer, giving the Thunder 14 points. He scored 10 of 27 from the floor and 4 from the 3-point shooting percentage, but he scored 11 of 14 from the free throw line.
Earlier, the Timberwolves' defense put Gilgeous-Alexander in the first half with only 13 shots.
Oklahoma City was nine minutes behind in the first half and ended with a 6-1 game, cutting the deficit to four.
In the second half, Thunder coach Mark Digneault moved Gilgeous-Alexander away from the ball, which helped the 1.98-meter (six-foot, six-inch) defender find the rhythm.
Oklahoma City scored 32-18, with Jill Alexander scoring 12 points in the third quarter.
Despite Gilgeous-Alexander's pressure on offense, the Thunder's defense played the most in the victory.
Overall, Oklahoma City scored 31 points in 19 Timberwolves turnovers. Minnesota scored 10 points in just 15 giveaways from the Thunder.
Oklahoma City's Jalen Williams scored 19 points and eight rebounds, while Chet Holmgren scored 15 points and seven rebounds.
The Thunder shot 50% from the field, with 11 of 21 (52.4%) from outside the arc, while Minnesota's floor was just 34.9% and the 3-point range was 15% (29.4%) from 51.
Julius Randle led Minnesota with 28 points and scored 20 in the first half. Randall did not attempt a shot from outside the arc in the second half after 5 shots in a three-pointer game in the first half.
Timberwolves All-Star guard Anthony Edwards scored 18 points and 9 rebounds. He only tried one shot in the seven minutes of the fourth quarter and missed it.
