The second game of the Western Conference Finals was spotlighted, as most matches are, by its superstars. The Thunder and Timberwolves danced beneath starlight on Thursday night, with both sides relying on their supernovas — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards — to carry them through.
Both standouts delivered, recording dueling 30-plus-point games to power their respective sides, but the way by which they produced their tallies was markedly different. Gilgeous-Alexander strode through physical defense en route to a starring showcase, while Edwards, for all his might, found it much harder to get to the cup.
The difference was bore out on the scoreboard, too, as the Thunder cruised to a 118-103 win and 2-0 series lead.
Here’s what you need to know about the dichotomous nature of their two displays.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs. Anthony Edwards stats in Game 2
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Stat | Anthony Edwards |
| 38 | Points | 32 |
| 3 | Rebounds | 9 |
| 8 | Assists | 6 |
| 3 | Steals | 0 |
| 0 | Blocks | 1 |
| 1 | Turnovers | 0 |
| 5 | Fouls | 1 |
| 57.1% (12-21) | FG% | 46.1% (12-26) |
| 50% (1-2) | 3P% | 11.1% (1-9) |
| 86.7% (13-15) | FT% | 70% (7-10) |
| +28 | +/- | -20 |
Gilgeous-Alexander struggled mightily in the early moments of Game 1, facing a series of different looks and defenders en route to a 2-of-13 showing in the first half of Tuesday’s affair.
But as the match wore on and he began to absorb more information, Gilgeous-Alexander found his footing. His second-half showing, marked by a 20-point outburst on far more efficient shooting, seemed to suggest he could be on the verge of a breakthrough.
Thursday night’s showing seemed to confirm that belief. Gilgeous-Alexander cut a composed figure under the glint Paycom Center lights, producing points in bunches, all under the shiny veneer of efficiency.
The #KiaMVP makes it look easy 🤩
SECOND HALF OF GAME 2 STARTS NOW ON ESPN! https://t.co/zniFVgjzrT pic.twitter.com/COMkS80AVq
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2025
Gilgeous-Alexander looked unusually steady given the circumstances, flowing into and out of actions with relative ease. Fresh off securing his first MVP award, Gilgeous-Alexander looked the part. He fended off frenzied adversaries like Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and his cousin, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, producing 38 points, seven assists, and just one turnover.
He had ample support around him; Jalen Williams tallied 26 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, while Chet Holmgren posted an additional 22 points.
All that production opened up more space for the 26-year-old guard. He made Minnesota pay for its torpidity, showcasing his three-level scoring chops in the process.
SGA FROM DEEP! HE’S GOT 19 FIRST-HALF PTS 🎯
Thunder leading at the break of Game 2 on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/N5l4QxNESl
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2025
Edwards, by comparison, looked a bit more rushed. The Timberwolves standout was similarly productive, albeit in vastly different circumstances. For starters, his “Robin,” Julius Randle, was held fairly quiet, clanking nine of his 11 efforts and sitting the entire fourth quarter.
Minnesota’s role players offered far more production in Game 2, as Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, Nickeil Alexander-Waker, and Donte DiVincenzo combined for 57 points on Thursday night, but it took far more effort than OKC’s secondary and tertiary options.
Nevertheless, Randle’s toils had a marked effect on the coverages Edwards was greeted with. He fared well in terms of maintaining his poise, failing to record a turnover during the match.
Great find here from Anthony Edwards. pic.twitter.com/yeBGuh031p
— Charlie Walton (@CharlieWaltonMN) May 23, 2025
But his pace looked far more frenetic than that of his adversary, Gilgeous-Alexander. Edwards still offered flits of wonder in the open court.
Anthony Edwards goes coast to coast 🔥🔥
🎥 @LegendOfWinning pic.twitter.com/xXdfwz6Xdh
— Playback (@WatchPlayback) May 23, 2025
But, by and large, he looked ever so slightly rushed, at least compared to his counterpart. Perhaps that explains some of his -20 plus/minus, and perhaps that explains OKC’s two easy victories in Games 1 and 2.
