Oklahoma City Thunder vs Minnesota Timberwolves: Predictions for Western Conference Finals of 2024-25 NBA playoffs

Let me tell you a story about myself: I graduated from college eight years ago, and where I come from, dreams are built on passion, hard work, and dedication. Today, after facing many obstacles, I can proudly say I’ve achieved everything I once dreamed of, but I’m still playing. Just as I went through many professional “firsts,” this Tuesday marks a historic first in the NBA: the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves will meet in the Western Conference Finals for the first time ever.

From a fan perspective, expectations are sky-high on both sides. Thunder Nation and T-Wolves fans are hoping to see their teams win an NBA title for the first time. Oklahoma City may have history on its side, it reached the Finals in the 2011-12 season before falling to LeBron James and the Miami Heat, and that experience could be a good omen.

Meanwhile, the Timberwolves are entering their third Western Conference Finals, having last reached this stage last season, when they lost to the Dallas Mavericks. They’ve never made it to the NBA Finals, so this might be their moment, or maybe it won’t be.

I’m not claiming to be a prophet, I just write about facts. And this series has the potential to be one of the toughest in NBA history. I believe that being so close to achieving something for the first time makes you stronger, just like in life. I remember the time I chased my first job, competing with people who were more qualified on paper. I wasn’t the favorite, but I saw the opportunity, gave everything, and ended up landing the job.

That’s why I don’t believe favoritism matters much in this Western Conference Finals. Sure, OKC is the No. 1 seed with a remarkable 68-14 record. Yes, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a front-runner for MVP, and they already knocked out Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets. Even though the season series between OKC and Minnesota ended 2-2, we’ve seen time and again that being the favorite doesn’t guarantee a win.

Favoritism doesn’t mean much in these situations

As I mentioned before, I wasn’t the most qualified when I got my first job, and the NBA has seen similar underdog stories. Let’s go back 20 years to one of the most iconic examples.

In the 1994-95 season, the Houston Rockets were the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference, finishing the regular season at 47-35, far from dominant. But when the playoffs started, everything changed.

Before they pulled off two stunning upsets, the Rockets first had to get past the Utah Jazz in the first round. In Game 3, Houston trailed 1-2, and the Jazz were generating a lot of buzz. But they didn’t count on Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler both going off for 40+ points in Game 4, and from that moment, the tide shifted.

Next up were the Phoenix Suns, the No. 3 seed. Down 1-3 in the series, Houston rallied and completed a comeback in Game 7 to reach the Western Conference Finals, where they faced the title-favorite San Antonio Spurs.

The underdog that won it all

In the same situation the Thunder and Wolves find themselves in now, the Rockets stunned the Spurs, winning the series 4-2. Olajuwon was unstoppable, and Houston reached the Finals against all odds.

Then came the Orlando Magic, the No. 1 seed in the East. And whether it was momentum, confidence, or sheer belief, the Rockets didn’t give them a chance. They swept the Magic 4-0, a reminder that favorites don’t always finish first.

Can the Timberwolves pull a Houston?

I think they absolutely can. If we examine how they’ve played, the Timberwolves have more than just strong performances, they have belief. Their 49-33 regular-season record mirrors the Rockets’ from ’94-95. In the playoffs, they took down LeBron, Luka Doncic and the Lakers 4-1 in the first round. Then they beat the Golden State Warriors 4-1, even though Stephen Curry got injured after Game 1 (a lucky break?). Now, they face the most consistent team all season: the Thunder.

If you’re a Timberwolves fan, you could see the Rockets’ story as a sign. And maybe, just maybe, Anthony Edwards, a player already being compared to legends like LeBron, Kobe, and Jordan, can rise to the occasion like Olajuwon once did. Because once the ball tips off, what happened in the regular season no longer matters.

This series is bound to be unforgettable. The Thunder are chasing their first title since relocating to Oklahoma and aiming to add to the franchise’s only championship back in the 1979-80 season. But they’ll be up against a hungry Timberwolves team that’s ready to fight from Game 1.

My Western Conference Finals prediction

As I’ve said, I don’t buy into favoritism. My prediction: the Timberwolves will take this series in Game 7. Gilgeous-Alexander will still claim the MVP award, but Edwards will rise to the moment and make history in the NBA Finals.