Thunder Hold Western Conference Finals Opener Over Wolves Amid Lowest Ratings Since 2021

Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder drew low viewership, averaging 5.36 million viewers, marking one of the least watched openers in recent memory, partly due to the small-market status of both teams. The Timberwolves started strong, leading by four points at halftime with Julius Randle performing well, but collapsed in the second half, being outscored 70-40 as the Thunder dominated, leading to a decisive win. Analysts and fans noted the Timberwolves' second-half struggles, with Randle's performance dropping significantly and a general lack of contribution from other players, highlighting concerns about Minnesota's ability to compete in the series. Former NBA player Patrick Beverley commented on the game's disappointing second half, and the Timberwolves will look to rebound in Game 2. Meanwhile, NBA 2K fans are actively debating the series outcome, with divided opinions on whether the Thunder or Timberwolves will prevail, reflecting broader fan engagement despite the current on-court imbalance. Former player and analyst Sam Mitchell provided insights on the matchup and noted the upcoming schedule, emphasizing the importance of the remaining games in the series.