Thunder face Wolves ahead of All-Star break

Game Info: OKC (44-5) @ MIN (30-25)

Tip-off: 7:30 PM | Broadcast: TNT

⚡A rare test?

OKC hasn't had much difficulty disposing of good, bad, or indifferent teams over its seven-game win streak. Miami put up a noble fight through three quarters last night, going up 93-63 on Oklahoma City before crumbling under a 24-0 run led by SGA (he had 14 of his 32 points in the stampede). The Thunder winning by just 14 feels like a thriller these days.

Minnesota is better in theory than they have been on the court this season, but facing a Western semifinalist, on the road for the second night of a back-to-back, with one eye on the All-Star break beginning when the game is over... this is a test for the Thunder, in theory.

⚡ If they play

All of that "tough test" talk about Minny goes out the window if Anthony Edwards joins Rudy Gobert in street clothes--he's questionable on the second night of their own pre-break back-to-back. OKC will be without Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, Ousmane Dieng, Ajay Mitchell, and Nikola Topic. Chet Holmgren is playing.

⚡ Why watch?

Chet Holmgren is playing.

Prediction: OKC 136 MIN 109

The Thunder don't like losing on national TV, and are well aware that the accolades awaiting them in the All-Star festivities are fed by national recognition and attention that are in such short supply for OKC. A team as starpowered as the 2025 Oklahoma City Thunder should be electrifying way more primetime games for NBA fans stuck watching the dying Suns and cranky Warriors every week.

The Wolves are better aware of the Thunder experience than fans out of the loop, so I expect Ant joins the Minnesota ducking and sits.