Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder lead the Western Conference with a 40-12 record and elite defense (ranked 1st in the league), while the Minnesota Timberwolves sit at 28-24 with a strong offensive core led by Anthony Edwards. The Thunder's balanced roster and coaching have positioned them as legitimate championship contenders, whereas the Timberwolves remain playoff hopefuls in a competitive Western Conference.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
The Oklahoma City Thunder are the superior team in 2024-25, demonstrating elite defense, a deeper talent pool, and championship-caliber performance with a 40-12 record and 1st seed trajectory. The Minnesota Timberwolves possess an explosive offensive engine led by Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns but lack the defensive consistency and roster depth to compete at the Thunder's level this season. Choose the Thunder if you're seeking a contender with balanced excellence; choose the Timberwolves if you value high-octane offense and an emerging young star in Edwards.
Compare Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Defensive powerhouse with elite wing scoring and championship experience
Western Conference leader with elite offensive efficiency and balanced scoring depth
Defensive Rating (pts allowed per 100 possessions)
Offensive Rating (pts scored per 100 possessions)
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder — Comparison Data
Structured comparison data for Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder with 129 attributes.
Current Win-Loss Record (2024-25 season)
Net Rating (scoring margin per 100 possessions)
Nikola Jokic vs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Best Player Comparison)
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder.
Which team is more likely to win the 2025 NBA Championship?
The Oklahoma City Thunder are heavy favorites with +850 odds (8-1). The Timberwolves sit at +2500 (25-1). The Thunder's 1st seed trajectory, elite defense (ranked 1st in NBA), and balanced three-star system make them championship contenders, while Minnesota's defensive vulnerabilities and lower seeding position place them outside championship favorites.
How do Anthony Edwards and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander compare?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads with 30.1 PPG on 65% true shooting percentage (MVP-caliber efficiency), while Anthony Edwards scores 24.3 PPG with more volatility but higher upside at age 22. SGA is the superior all-around player currently, but Edwards has shown trajectory to reach that level within 2-3 seasons. SGA is a top-5 NBA player; Edwards is top-15.
Oklahoma City Thunder rank 1st in the NBA with a 107.8 defensive rating, holding opponents to 8.4 fewer points per 100 possessions than Minnesota's 116.2 rating. The Thunder's length (Holmgren 7'1", Dort's wing defense) and coaching create elite perimeter and interior protection, while the Timberwolves struggle with transition defense and wing assignments.
Can the Timberwolves make a playoff run?
Yes, Minnesota can reach the playoffs as a 7th-10th seed and potentially upset a lower-seeded team due to offensive firepower, but a deep run is unlikely without improved defense. Their path is complicated by Western Conference depth—they trail 8+ teams in the conference. Trading for depth or acquiring a defensive specialist mid-season would significantly improve playoff viability.
What are the biggest weaknesses for each team?
Minnesota's primary weakness is perimeter and interior defense (116.2 rating), allowing opposing guards to drive and shoot freely. OKC's weakness is three-point shooting depth and reliance on their three stars—if any star is injured, the team lacks scoring punch from role players. Both teams' health will determine playoff success.