Oklahoma City Thunder will face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, striving to extend their winning streak to eight games. This matchup marks the fourth encounter this season between the two teams, with Oklahoma City currently holding a record of 10-3 against the Northwest Division. Meanwhile, Minnesota has an 8-5 record against division rivals.
As of now, the Timberwolves sit sixth in the Western Conference with a record of 40-26, while the Thunder lead the Western Conference with an impressive 52-15 record. This game is set to tip off at 1 p.m. EDT.
Oklahoma City enters the contest with momentum, having won seven consecutive games. The team averages 118.6 points per game and boasts a differential of 10.8 points per game against their opponents. On the other hand, the Timberwolves rank fifth in the NBA, also averaging 118.6 points per game while shooting 48.4% from the field. Oklahoma City”s scoring average exceeds the Timberwolves” defensive average of 115.1 points allowed per game.
In terms of three-point shooting, the Timberwolves make an average of 13.9 three-pointers per game, slightly below what Oklahoma City allows. The previous meeting between these two teams ended in a Minnesota victory on January 30, where they defeated Oklahoma City 123-111. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 26 points in that contest.
Looking at individual performances, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been a key player for the Thunder, averaging 31.8 points and 6.6 assists. Over the last ten games, Jaylin Williams has contributed with an average of 12.6 points and 8.1 rebounds. For the Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards is averaging 29.4 points and 3.7 assists, while Julius Randle has averaged 14.1 points in his last ten outings.
In their last ten games, the Thunder hold a record of 9-1, averaging 113.6 points, 43.9 rebounds, 25.4 assists, 8.7 steals, and 4.7 blocks per game, shooting 45.7% from the field. Their opponents, during this span, have averaged 108.5 points. The Timberwolves, with a 6-4 record in their last ten games, average 112.3 points, 41.7 rebounds, 24.6 assists, 8.4 steals, and 5.2 blocks while shooting 48.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.2 points per game.
Injury updates indicate that the Thunder have a few players listed as day-to-day, including Branden Carlson (back), Jalen Williams (hamstring), and Isaiah Hartenstein (calf). Thomas Sorber is out for the season due to a knee injury. The Timberwolves have no injuries reported.
This upcoming game presents a critical opportunity for Oklahoma City to solidify their dominance in the Western Conference while Minnesota seeks to regain momentum against a formidable opponent.
