The Western Conference Finals begin Tuesday night in Oklahoma City, with the upstart Thunder hosting the Timberwolves.
Minnesota returns to action on the heels of a six-day layoff, following its Game 5 win over the Warriors to close out a resounding second-round victory. The Timberwolves won each of their first two playoff series in five games.
Anthony Edwards (26.5 points per game) is playing like a star, and he’s receiving plenty of contributions from his supporting cast, too. Julius Randle (23.9 points per game) is playing the best basketball of his playoff career, while Naz Reid and Rudy Gobert anchor a frontcourt with plenty of depth.
The Thunder staved off Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets in a seven-game second-round series, spurred by a 32-point beatdown in Game 7 on Saturday afternoon. MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 35 points, while his co-star, Jalen Williams, added 24 points.
Alex Caruso, Lu Dort and Isaiah Hartenstein fuel a Thunder defense that aims to make life miserable for Minnesota’s offense. But, as was the case last series, that trio will certainly have their hands full.
Here’s what you need to know about Tuesday’s matchup between the Thunder and the Timberwolves, including broadcast information and start time.
What channel is Thunder vs. Timberwolves on today?
- TV channel: ESPN | ESPN2
- Live stream: Sling
The traditional broadcast of Thunder vs. Timberwolves will air live on ESPN, with Mike Breen (play-by-play), Doris Burke (analyst), Richard Jefferson (analyst) and Lisa Salters (reporter) on the call.
ESPN2 will carry an alternate broadcast focusing on an in-depth, data-driven exploration of the game. Ryan Ruocco (play-by-play), Tim Legler (analyst) and Kirk Goldsberry (analyst) will lead the way.
Fans looking to stream Thunder vs. Timberwolves can watch live on Sling, which will carry every NBA playoff game in 2025.
Sling is your home for playoff action. Catch NBA and NHL postseason games with a range of sports channels including TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, ABC and more.
What is Sling TV?
Sling TV is a popular live streaming service that offers a flexible and affordable way to watch television without a traditional cable subscription. It provides a range of channel packages, allowing users to customize their viewing experience by choosing from various genres, including sports, news, and entertainment.
One of its best qualities is the no-contract model, which gives subscribers the freedom to start and stop service as they please. Additionally, Sling TV’s user-friendly interface, compatibility with multiple devices, and the option for add-ons like premium channels make it an attractive choice for those looking to streamline their viewing options.
Thunder vs. Timberwolves start time
- Date: Tuesday, May 20
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs series between the Thunder and the Timberwolves is set to tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET from the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The Thunder are back in the Western Conference Finals for the first time since the 2015-16 season, when Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and company coughed up a 3-1 series lead to the Warriors.
Minnesota lost last year’s Western Conference Finals in five games to the Mavericks.
This marks just the second all-time playoff meeting between the two clubs. The Timberwolves fell to the then-Seattle Supersonics in a five-game first-round set in 1998.
Thunder vs. Timberwolves radio station
Fans can listen to the Thunder vs. Timberwolves broadcast live on SiriusXM.
New subscribers can enjoy SiriusXM for free for four months. Listen to live NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.
Thunder vs. Timberwolves series schedule
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 20 | Game 1 at Thunder | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN, Sling |
| May 22 | Game 2 at Thunder | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN, Sling |
| May 24 | Game 3 at Timberwolves | 8:30 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
| May 26 | Game 4 at Timberwolves | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN, Sling |
| May 28 | Game 5* at Thunder | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN, Sling |
| May 30 | Game 6* at Timberwolves | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN, Sling |
| June 1 | Game 7* at Thunder | 8 p.m. | TNT, Sling |
* If necessary
NBA Playoffs schedule, key dates for 2025
Here are the key dates to know for the NBA Playoffs and offseason. Some series start dates could move up depending on when previous series end.
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Play-In Tournament | April 15-18 |
| First round begins | April 19 |
| Conference semifinals begin | May 5-6 |
| NBA Draft Lottery | May 12 |
| Western Conference finals begin | May 20 |
| Eastern Conference finals begin | May 21 |
| NBA Finals begin | June 5 |
| NBA Finals Game 7 (if necessary) | June 22 |
| NBA Draft | June 25-26 |
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