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Thunder vs. Wolves: Playoff Race Heats Up!
30 Jan
Summary
- Oklahoma City Thunder (38-10) faces Minnesota Timberwolves (29-19).
- Thunder lead head-to-head 93-49, including 2025 West Conference Finals.
- Both teams boast elite offensive and defensive ratings this season.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, holding the top seed in the Western Conference with a 38-10 record, are set to clash with the 6th-place Minnesota Timberwolves (29-19) on Thursday night. This pivotal matchup is scheduled for January 29, 2026, at 9:30 PM ET. The Thunder recently secured a win against the Pelicans after two close losses, while the Timberwolves are on a two-game winning streak following a dominant victory over the Warriors.
Historically, the Thunder have a significant edge in their head-to-head series, leading 93 wins to the Timberwolves' 49, which includes a 4-1 triumph in the 2025 West Conference Finals. This season, the two teams have split their previous encounters, making the upcoming game a tie-breaker. Both teams exhibit strong performance metrics, with the Thunder boasting the league's best defensive rating (105.3) and an elite offensive rating (117.9). The Timberwolves are not far behind, with a 116.2 offensive rating and the third-best defensive rating (111.7).
Key players Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder and Anthony Edwards of the Timberwolves are expected to lead their respective teams. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 32.0 points per game, while Edwards is close behind with 29.4 points per game. The Timberwolves' strong front line, featuring Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle, is anticipated to challenge the Thunder's interior defense. The match is predicted to be a close contest, with the Thunder narrowly prevailing 117-115.
