After a dominating second half in Game 1, the Oklahoma City Thunder look to take a commanding lead in the Western Conference Finals with newly named Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous Alexander at the help. The Thunder beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-88 in Game 1 thanks, in part, to a 70-point second half. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 31 points. Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with 28. Game 2 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. Below is what you need to know about the series and before going to games. OpponentThe Minnesota Timberwolves have reached the Western Conference Finals for the second time in as many years, falling to the Dallas Mavericks last season. They're now looking to get past that series loss and reach the NBA Finals, but they first have to square off against The Oklahoma City Thunder. The Timberwolves secured the six seed in the Western Conference following a 49-33 season, finishing 19 games behind the Thunder in the conference standings. Despite starting each playoff series on the road, Minnesota dispatched each of their opponents in the first two rounds in five games. The Timberwolves defeated Luka Doncic, Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round before eliminating the Golden State Warriors, who were without Steph Curry for almost the entire series, in the Western Conference semifinals. Video Below: Crashing the Boards: Thunder advance to Western Conference Finals for first time since 2016The Timberwolves are led by Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels. Edwards was the team's scoring leader during the regular season (27.6 points per game) and continues to do so in the playoffs (26.5 points per game). They get valuable minutes from Donte DiVincenzo, Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The Thunder and Timberwolves split the regular-season series 2-2.Western Conference Finals TicketsA limited number of tickets for Thunder home games during the Western Conference Finals will go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday, May 19. Fans can also buy guaranteed, authentic tickets from season ticket members and other fans on the Thunder's website via Ticketmaster. Only tickets sold through that website are guaranteed to be authentic and ensure entry into the Paycom Center. Click here to secure your tickets to the Western Conference Finals in Oklahoma City. Western Conference Finals Results (Thunder lead Minnesota 1-0)Game 1: Thunder 114, Timberwolves 88 (Game Recap)Game 2: Timberwolves at Thunder, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 22 (ESPN)Game 3: Thunder at Timberwolves, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 24 (KOCO 5)Game 4: Thunder at Timberwolves, 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 26 (ESPN)Game 5 (if necessary): Timberwolves at Thunder, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 28 (ESPN)Game 6 (if necessary): Thunder at Timberwolves, 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 30 (ESPN)Game 7 (if necessary): Timberwolves at Thunder, 7 p.m. Sunday, June 1 (ESPN)Western Conference Semifinals Results (Thunder beat Denver 4-3)Game 1: Nuggets 121, Thunder 119 (Game Recap)Game 2: Thunder 149, Nuggets 106 (Game Recap)Game 3: Nuggets 113, Thunder 104 (OT) (Game Recap)Game 4: Thunder 92, Nuggets 87 (Game Recap)Game 5: Thunder 112, Nuggets 105 (Game Recap)Game 6: Nuggets 119, Thunder 107 (Game Recap)Game 7: Nuggets 93, Thunder 125 (Game Recap) Video Below: Thunder-Nuggets Postgame Show: OKC beats Denver in Game 7, advances to Western Conference finalsFirst Round Results (Thunder beat Memphis 4-0)Game 1: Thunder 131, Grizzlies 80 (Game Recap)Game 2: Thunder 118, Grizzlies 99 (Game Recap)Game 3: Thunder 114, Grizzlies 108 (Game Recap)Game 4: Thunder 117, Grizzlies 115 (Game Recap) SGA = MVPIt's official. Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has won the NBA Most Valuable Player award after leading the league in scoring with 32.7 points per game. During the 2024-25 season, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 20 points 75 times, 30 points 49 times, 40 points 13 times and 50 points four times. The point guard from the University of Kentucky beat out fellow MVP finalists Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) and Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets). Gilgeous-Alexander was a finalist last year but lost out to Jokić. Gilgeous-Alexander has become the third player in Thunder history to win the MVP. Kevin Durant earned the honor in 2014, and Russell Westbrook was awarded MVP in 2017.Historic 2024-25 season To say the Oklahoma City Thunder had a great season is an understatement. On top of being entertaining, they also put up historic numbers and broke franchise records during the 2024-25 season. The Thunder posted a 68-14 record, becoming the seventh team in NBA history to win at least 68 games during the regular season. The last team to win at least that many games was the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, who broke the NBA record by going 73-9. Four of the previous six teams to win at least 68 games during the regular season would also go on to win the NBA Finals. >> Video Below: Looking at the historic numbers the Thunder put up during the 2024-25 season On a franchise level, 68 wins is the most in Thunder history, as well as the most if you want to date back to the Seattle SuperSonics days. The previous Thunder wins record was 60, set during the 2012-13 season, and the most games the SuperSonics won in a season was 64 in 1995-96.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also led the NBA in scoring this season, averaging 32.7 points per game. This marks the seventh time a Thunder player has led the NBA in scoring, with Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant leading the NBA those other six seasons. Loud City LiveThe Oklahoma City Thunder have announced a new playoff experience for fans to immerse themselves in Loud City during road games of the Western Conference Finals. The Paycom Center will be opened for Loud City Live, during which fans can experience a home-court atmosphere while the Thunder take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road. Loud City Live will feature the national broadcast on the scoreboard inside the Paycom Center, free Thunder rally towels, concessions, appearances by Rumble, Thunder Girls, the O'City Crew, Storm Chasers and the Thunder Drummers. There also will be a live DJ on the blue carpet, photo opportunities, face-painting and more. The first two Loud City Live events are on Saturday, May 24, and Monday, May 26. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. on both nights. Fans who want to attend will have to claim free tickets beforehand, and tickets are limited to up to four per household. Thunder fans can start claiming their tickets to Loud City Live at 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, by going to this website. Tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.Playoffs RaffleFor a third straight series, the Thunder and OG&E have teamed up to offer fans a chance to win a playoffs package for Game 2. The winner will get four tickets in a Terrace Suite to the Western Conference Finals, food and exclusive early doors access to watch Thunder pregame warmups. Raffle tickets start at $10, and the proceeds will benefit the Thunder Community Foundation. OG&E will match raffle proceeds up to $15,000. The raffle closes at noon on Wednesday, May 21. People wanting to buy a raffle ticket can do so here. Playoff shirtsBefore every home game, the Thunder will place a playoff T-shirt on each seat at the Paycom Center. Fans going to the game are encouraged to arrive early to join in on the Thunder playoff tradition and put on their shirts before the players hit the court. Fans who don't have the playoff shirts on run the risk of being on the "Put On Your Shirt" camera on the jumbotron. Playoff gearPlayoff merchandise is currently available to buy online. Along with the online shop, the Thunder merchandise trailer will be open during Thunder UP in the Park. The Thunder Shop at the Paycom Center also will be open during home playoff games and regular store hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.Click here to get your playoff gear now. Thunder UP in the Park Thunder UP in the Park is back for another playoff year after debuting in 2024. The event is a free pregame party at Scissortail Park Plaza and begins 3.5 hours before every home game and ends 30 minutes before tip-off. Fans of all ages can enjoy several activities at Scissortail Park such as face painting, youth zones, music and performances from Thunder entertainers. Those 18 and older can enter a chance to win tickets to that night's game.Get in early and half-price concessionsDoors open two hours before tipoff, and food and beverages – excluding the Michelob Ultra Club, Jack Daniel's and suites – are half off for the first hour. Thunder HallFassler Hall locations in Oklahoma City and Tulsa are being turned into Thunder Hall and will be official Thunder watch party locations. All Thunder playoff games will be on the big screens. During away games, Thunder Hall will include giveaways, Thunder-themed entertainment and special appearances. Video Below: Popular Oklahoma City restaurant transforming for Thunder playoff games. Click here to learn more.Thunder Watch Zones Fans can watch Thunder playoff games in four Thunder Watch Zones in Oklahoma City as well as one in Tulsa. The Thunder Watch Zones are located at OKC Tap House, Social Capital, Truck Yard, Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill in Oklahoma City and Puck's Bar and Grill in Tulsa. Click here for a full list of Thunder Watch Zones.