The Oklahoma City Thunder are watching the Western Conference semifinals with a unique level of interest. After steamrolling through the first two rounds with a perfect 8-0 record—sweeping both the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers even without Jalen Williams, who's been sidelined since Game 2 of the first round with a hamstring injury—the Thunder are sitting pretty, waiting to see who will emerge from the San Antonio-Minnesota series.
Currently, the Spurs hold a 3-2 lead after dismantling the Timberwolves 126-97 in Game 5. The series now shifts to Minneapolis for a must-win Game 6 for Minnesota. While San Antonio looks like the favorite to advance, here's why the Thunder should actually be rooting for the Timberwolves to force a Game 7—and ultimately pull off the upset.
The Victor Wembanyama Factor
The biggest reason? The Spurs have Victor Wembanyama, and the Timberwolves don't. The rookie sensation has been a force of nature this postseason, averaging 20.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, and an astounding 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 53.8% from the floor. In Game 5 alone, he put up 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks, leading his team to a dominant victory.
Even Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards acknowledged the challenge: "Tonight, some of the stuff Wemby was doing, you don't really have an answer for it."
Wembanyama's impact goes beyond the stat sheet. The Spurs have a plus-19.4 net rating with him on the floor compared to just plus-7 without him. Opponents shoot significantly worse and grab far fewer offensive rebounds when he's patrolling the paint. For a Thunder team that prides itself on offensive efficiency—they currently boast the best offensive rating of any playoff team—facing a game-changing defender like Wembanyama in the conference finals would be a much stiffer test than taking on a Timberwolves team that just lost its defensive anchor.
The Rest Advantage
Another reason to root for Minnesota: rest. The Thunder have been idle since completing their sweep of the Lakers, and they'll have over a week of rest before the conference finals begin. If the Spurs close out the series in Game 6, they'll have just a couple of days to prepare. But if the Timberwolves force a Game 7, both teams will be battling fatigue, giving the Thunder an even bigger advantage in terms of energy and preparation time.
Momentum vs. Uncertainty
Finally, there's the psychological factor. The Spurs have championship pedigree and are playing with confidence. A Game 7 would introduce an element of uncertainty—anything can happen in a winner-take-all game. The Timberwolves, fighting for their playoff lives, would be unpredictable and potentially more vulnerable. For a Thunder team that has looked unstoppable so far, facing a less cohesive opponent coming off an emotional rollercoaster might be the ideal path to the NBA Finals.
As the series heads back to Minneapolis, all eyes are on whether the Timberwolves can extend their season. For the Thunder, the answer will determine just how challenging their road to the championship becomes.