The Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves meet Today by 1:00PM EST at Paycom Center in what feels like a glimpse at a potential postseason matchup. Tipoff is set for noon CT on ABC, with the Thunder carrying the weight of a seven-game winning streak into a game that could look very different depending on whether Anthony Edwards is able to suit up.
Edwards questionable with knee soreness
Edwards, the Timberwolves’ leading scorer at 29.7 points per game, is listed as questionable with right knee soreness ahead of Sunday’s road game. His availability will shape everything about how Minnesota approaches the matchup. Without him, the Wolves lose their most dangerous offensive weapon and the player most capable of going toe-to-toe with Oklahoma City Thunder’s elite guard play on a given night.
Edwards was electric in Minnesota’s most recent outing, pouring in 42 points and eight rebounds during a 127-117 road win over the Golden State Warriors on Friday, a result that snapped a three-game losing streak for the Timberwolves and steadied a team that had been showing signs of slippage.
Thunder rolling behind SGA’s record-breaking form
Oklahoma City enters today having won its last seven games, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the center of everything. In Thursday’s 104-102 home win over the Boston Celtics, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points and added nine assists, in the process surpassing Wilt Chamberlain’s NBA record for the longest consecutive 20-point scoring streak in league history. The milestone drew widespread attention and underscored just how dominant Gilgeous-Alexander has been throughout this season.
The Thunder sit at 52-15, the best record in the Western Conference, and have built their success on a combination of Gilgeous-Alexander’s scoring, Chet Holmgren’s rim protection and a deep supporting cast that includes Isaiah Joe, Jared McCain and Jaylin Williams. Ajay Mitchell has also recently returned from injury and provided a notable lift off the bench.
A rivalry with recent history
The two teams have met three times this season, with Minnesota winning two of those matchups. Oklahoma City, the reigning NBA champion, eliminated the Timberwolves in five games during last year’s postseason, making Sunday’s game carry a layer of significance beyond the standings.
The most recent regular season meeting on Jan. 29 ended in a frustrating defeat for the Thunder, a result Oklahoma City will be motivated to reverse on its home floor. Minnesota has shown it can compete with and beat this team, which makes Edwards’ health all the more critical to the Wolves’ chances.
Injury picture for both sides
Oklahoma City will be without Jalen Williams, who remains out with a hamstring strain. Isaiah Hartenstein, who has missed the last three games with a left calf contusion, has been upgraded to questionable and could provide a boost to OKC’s frontcourt rotation if cleared to play. Nikola Topic, Branden Carlson and Thomas Sorber are also unavailable.
For Minnesota, in addition to Edwards, Julian Phillips, Joan Beringer, Enrique Freeman and Zyon Pullin are all unavailable due to G League assignments or two-way contract limitations.
What Sunday’s game means
At 41-26, Minnesota needs wins to protect its seeding in a competitive Western Conference playoff race. Oklahoma City, already firmly entrenched at the top, has the luxury of playing with confidence and depth. Whether Edwards is able to go or not, Today’s matchup offers a window into how these two franchises match up heading toward what could be another postseason collision.
