OKLAHOMA CITY — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 38 factors a day after being named the NBA’s MVP, and the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder overwhelmed the Minnesota Timberwolves once more, successful 118-103 on Thursday night time to take a 2-0 lead within the Western Convention finals.
Gilgeous-Alexander made 12 of 21 subject objectives and 13 of 15 free throws after receiving his MVP trophy from commissioner Adam Silver earlier than the sport. He additionally had eight assists and three steals.
Jalen Williams had 26 factors and 10 rebounds and Chet Holmgren added 22 factors for the Thunder.
Oklahoma Metropolis’s Lu Dort was named first-team all protection and Williams was named second-team all-defense earlier within the day. They helped anchor a unit that held Minnesota to 41.4% taking pictures.
Anthony Edwards scored 32 factors, but it surely took him 26 photographs to get them. Jaden McDaniels scored 22 factors and Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 17 for the Timberwolves.
Sport 3 is Saturday in Minneapolis.
Gilgeous-Alexander hit a 3-pointer with 16 seconds left within the first half, then made a pair of free throws with 3 seconds remaining to assist Oklahoma Metropolis take a 58-50 lead. He scored 19 factors earlier than the break.
Within the third quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander drove to the paint and threw up a wild shot that went in as he was fouled by his cousin, Alexander-Walker. Gilgeous-Alexander made the free throw to offer the Thunder a 73-64 lead.
A lob by Cason Wallace to Holmgren for a two-handed jam on a quick break put Oklahoma Metropolis up 82-65 late within the third quarter. The Thunder took a 93-71 benefit into the fourth.