Staff Reporter.
The Oklahoma City Thunder took a 2-0 series lead in the Western Conference finals Thursday night, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 118-103 at home.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who was selected the NBA Most Valuable Player on Wednesday and presented with the trophy before Thursday’s game, has scored 30 or more points in five consecutive games.
The 38 points tied a career playoff-high, and he added eight assists and three steals with just one turnover.
Chet Holmgren contributed 22 points in the win.
“We did a good job of coming out first half, getting the lead, holding it and then extending it in the third and finishing it through the fourth quarter,” Oklahoma’s Alex Caruso said.
Anthony Edwards impressed for the Timberwolves with 32 points, six assists and nine rebounds.
Minnesota have lost just one of their past 10 games at Target Center in Minneapolis, although Oklahoma have won two of their past three visits.
“Every minute in the series is a chance to find something,” said Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch.
“So we’re going to go back home and fight for game three and heads up, look at the tape and get ready.”
The Timberwolves will attempt to gain a foothold in the series when they host the third game on Sunday at 01:30 BST.