Timberwolves vs Thunder Live: Score Updates, TV Channel & Free Stream Details for Tonight’s NBA Play-In Clash

The Minnesota Timberwolves head to Oklahoma for a must-win Game 5 of the 2025 Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, May 28, with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m. CT (8:30 p.m. ET) at Paycom Center and national broadcast on ESPN. Oklahoma City leads the best-of-seven series 3-1 after edging Minnesota 128-126 in a thriller on Monday night. Why Game 5 matters • OKC can clinch its first NBA Finals berth since 2012 with a victory. • Minnesota must extend the series to force Game 6 back at Target Center on Friday, May 30. • Historically, teams up 3-1 win the series 95 % of the time, but the Timberwolves already erased a 2-1 deficit in the previous round. Key storylines to watch Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s closing punch SGA erupted for a playoff-career-high 40 points in Game 4, including 14 in the final period, and is averaging 32.8 PPG on 53 % shooting this series. Minnesota’s pick-and-roll coverage will need a tweak—expect more top-locking and hard hedges to deny his left-to-right drives. Anthony Edwards’ response Edwards shook off two quiet outings with 38 points in Game 4, but late turnovers proved costly. Coach Chris Finch hinted at giving Edwards more on-ball reps early to counter OKC’s traps, which left Jaden McDaniels 0-for-6 in the first five minutes Monday. Paint battle and second-chance points Through four games, Oklahoma City owns a +18 edge on the offensive glass, fueled by Chet Holmgren’s length and Josh Giddey’s relentless crashing. Meanwhile, Minnesota is +24 in paint scoring when Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert share the floor. Whichever frontcourt imposes its style early could dictate pace. Injury report • Thunder: Only reserve guard Cason Wallace (ankle) is listed as questionable, giving coach Mark Daigneault a nearly full deck. • Timberwolves: All starters are expected to play, but Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid continues to manage a sore shoulder. Betting odds and picks Sportsbooks opened Oklahoma City as an 8.5-point favorite with the over/under hovering around 214.5. Bettors riding momentum will eye OKC’s 34-8 home record (regular season + playoffs), yet Minnesota is 6-2 ATS this postseason as an underdog of seven points or more. How to watch / stream • TV: ESPN (Mike Breen, Doris Burke, Richard Jefferson, Lisa Salters). • Streaming: ESPN app, Sling TV, FuboTV. • Radio: KFAN 100.3 in Minneapolis, WWLS 98.1 “The Sports Animal” in Oklahoma City. What each team must do Minnesota 1. Rediscover the corner-three: The Wolves shot just 7-for-32 from deep in Game 4 after torching OKC for 18 triples in Game 3. 2. Limit live-ball turnovers: Oklahoma City converted 19 Wolves giveaways into 27 points Monday. 3. Get Towns touches at the elbow: When KAT initiates, Gobert can dive for lobs and Edwards gets weak-side isolations. Oklahoma City 1. Keep the pace controlled: OKC is +46 when the half-court defense is set. 2. Lean on Jalen Williams as secondary creator: His 24 points and 9 assists in Game 4 relieved pressure off SGA. 3. Crash glass selectively: Winning the boards while avoiding fouls on Gobert will be crucial late. Projected starting lineups Minnesota Timberwolves • PG: Mike Conley • SG: Anthony Edwards • SF: Jaden McDaniels • PF: Karl-Anthony Towns • C: Rudy Gobert Oklahoma City Thunder • PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander • SG: Jalen Williams • SF: Luguentz Dort • PF: Chet Holmgren • C: Jaylin Williams Stat to know The Timberwolves are 15-3 this season when Edwards scores at least 35; the Thunder are 17-1 when SGA hits that mark. Bottom line If Minnesota’s defense can finally corral Gilgeous-Alexander and convert turnovers into transition buckets, a Game 6 back in Minneapolis feels inevitable. Otherwise, a roaring Paycom Center crowd could witness the Thunder’s youth movement vault straight into the NBA Finals tonight.