Timberwolves vs Thunder Starting Lineups: Who’s Playing Tonight in Minnesota?

Target Center, Minneapolis is bound for the showdown between the top two teams of the Western Conference tonight. Both young rosters have been the surprise this regular season, leaving the defending champions lurching into the third seed. However, leading up to the halfway mark of the season, they have had different journeys to this point.

The OKC Thunder lost two consecutive games and bounced back in their third game against the Utah Jazz thanks to Shai Gilageous Alexander’s 31-point performance. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves have been on a four-game winning streak, pushing their record to 30 wins and 11 losses. So, let’s look at their starting five.

Minnesota Timberwolves Starting Line up

Good news for Timberwolves fans! All the starters are in good health and ready to hit the court. The regular starting five will be Mike Conley and Anthony Edwards as the guards, while Jaden McDaniels, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Rudy Gobert will round out the lineup. On the other hand, OKC’s usual starting five is set to hit the court, with a likely return for Lu Dort, who missed the last game due to illness. Dort is expected to join Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren on the frontcourt, while the dynamic duo of Josh Giddey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will hold down the fort in the backcourt.

The Timberwolves have a slight edge in the upcoming match against the Thunder, even though OKC secured a 129-106 victory when they last clashed in Oklahoma on Dec. 26. This is because they hold better momentum, a more favorable schedule, and the advantage of playing on their home court. The Thunder, facing their seventh game in 10 days, might feel the effects of fatigue.

However, despite the outcome of the match-up, both teams’ surprise surge this season can be attributed to their central stars. For OKC it is Shai’s MVP-level consistency coupled with an unstoppable pick-and-role with their 7-foot rookie Chet Holmgren. On the flip side, Ant-man’s dominance is a key reason for Minnesota’s success. Interestingly, Edwards gives credit to his FIBA appearance for this.

Anthony Edwards says the FIBA World Cup is the reason for his success

After the Timberwolves secured a 118-103 victory over the Grizzlies, Anthony Edwards, known for his self-confidence, reflected on how his FIBA experience transformed his game and himself. As a ball-dominant player, Edwards enjoys making a name for himself, especially against top opponents. However, he realized that playing in isolation is not the ideal approach on the international stage. His 2023 FIBA run with Team USA taught him valuable lessons about teamwork and not solely relying on isolation plays.

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Despite Team USA’s loss to Germany, Edwards, under the leadership of Steve Kerr, made a lasting impact with his on-court dominance. This experience, marked by increased responsibilities and spur-of-the-moment decisions, prepared him for a leadership role upon his return to the Timberwolves.

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