Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stats: Star guard shakes off rough start to lead Thunder to Game 1 win over Timberwolves

Through the first 24 minutes of the Western Conference Finals, the Timberwolves appeared to have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's number.

Oklahoma City, fresh off a second-round Game 7 victory against the Nuggets, got off to a slow start in Game 1 of the penultimate round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. With the Thunder's likely soon-to-be MVP shooting just 2-for-13 from the floor in the first half — plus Julius Randle lighting it up from 3-point range — Minnesota appeared primed to steal a road win to begin the series Tuesday night.

Instead, Gilgeous-Alexander rediscovered his rhythm in the second half by getting to the rim and free-throw line. Coupled with 19 points from Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City relied on its superstar to pull away and claim a 114-88 win in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

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Here's a look at how Gilgeous-Alexander overcame his slow start in the biggest playoff stage of his career thus far.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Game 1 stats vs. Timberwolves

• Points: 31
• Rebounds: 5
• Assists: 9
• Steals: 3
• Blocks: 0
• Turnovers: 2
• Fouls: 1
• FG: 10-27
• 3P: 0-4
• FT: 11-14

Simply put, Gilgeous-Alexander struggled in the first half of Game 1. The Thunder star did manage to get to the line for nine shots, making seven of them, but otherwise, Minnesota's swarm of athletic defenders was preventing the lengthy guard from getting what he wanted.

While Randle had 20 first-half points and Anthony Edwards had 13, Gilgeous-Alexander posted 11 with just two of his 13 shots from the floor going in. The Timberwolves took a 48-44 lead into halftime.

Gilgeous-Alexander's struggles evaporated in the second half, though. He began to take Oklahoma City's offense over a bit more, notching a few assists while watching more of his shots go in, and that trend only continued over time.

Per ESPN, Gilgeous-Alexander scored or assisted on 20 points in the third quarter alone.

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 21, 2025

As the Thunder honed in on Randle and Edwards more, then started moving the ball to get better shots, a big run followed. SGA eventually posted 31 points despite shooting around 37 percent from the floor, consistently getting to the free-throw line as the Thunder outscored the Timberwolves 70-40 in the second half.

MORE: Where SGA ranks among best remaining players in the NBA playoffs

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Game highlights vs. Timberwolves Game 1

One of few Gilgeous-Alexander buckets in the first half came on a stepback over Randle, who was having a strong performance of his own.

— NBA (@NBA) May 21, 2025

Really, though, it was the third quarter when SGA began cooking. While some have called it a questionable foul, the Thunder star still hit a fading mid-range jumper over Jalen McDaniels that also sent him to the line.

— NBA (@NBA) May 21, 2025

Just as Oklahoma City began going on its big run, Gilgeous-Alexander stripped the ball from Naz Reid, which led to a bucket from his All-Star teammate, Williams.

— NBA (@NBA) May 21, 2025

With the fourth quarter nearing, Gilgeous-Alexander was hitting full gear. On an all-out sprint to the cup, he faded away while falling, connecting on an and-one bucket that tapped off the glass as the Oklahoma City crowd erupted.

— NBA (@NBA) May 21, 2025

Yet another and-one for the star guard came in the fourth quarter, flipping the ball up and in as the Thunder ran away with Game 1.

— NBA (@NBA) May 21, 2025