Kendrick Perkins Claims Wolves-Thunder Series is ‘Over’ After Game 1

The Oklahoma City Thunder

‘s second-half comeback over the Minnesota Timberwolves

in Game 1 of the NBA Finals was a statement win for the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed.

The Thunder, who were coming off a convincing Game 7 victory over the Denver Nuggets

Sunday evening, overcame a four-point halftime deficit thanks to a third quarter in which they outscored the T-Wolves 32-18. The end result was a 114-88 blowout led by 2025 NBA MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 31 points.

And while the best-of-seven series is only just getting started, former OKC Thunder center Kendrick Perkins feels Tuesday’s Game 1 loss was the nail in the coffin for Anthony Edwards and the T-Wolves.

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The No. 6-seeded Timberwolves have turned heads this postseason, earning their spot in the Western Conference Finals following a pair of 4–1 victories over LeBron James’ L.A. Lakers

and Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors

, respectively. This came after a rather underwhelming regular season in which they won seven fewer games than their 56-26 regular season one year ago. Questions were being asked about the decision to trade superstar center Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks

, but they’ve silenced those critics given the play of Julius Randle and the team as a whole during this playoff run.

However, one former NBA player isn’t buying into the hype, as prior to tipoff, Perkins told ESPN:

“If they [Timberwolves] don’t get this game tonight, they’re losing this series.”

Perkins spent five seasons with the OKC Thunder, so it could be the loyalty in him talking, but no doubt Minnesota, who entered the series as fairly significant underdogs, certainly have their work cut out for them if they are to prove Perkins wrong. The Thunder, who are potentially on their way to establishing themselves as one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history, are the odds-on favorites to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy by some margin (-240, according to ESPN Bet). The T-Wolves, meanwhile, have the longest odds (+850).

But for any Minnesota fans looking for a glimmer of hope, the T-Wolves record away from home has been nearly perfect, as Tuesday’s defeat was only the second game they’ve dropped on the road this postseason, picking up a pair of road victories in both of their series wins against the Warriors and Lakers. They’ll need to steal at least one at the Paycom Center if they want a shot at emerging victorious in this series.

Despite the lopsided defeat, it’s only one game. We’ll have to see how Minnesota bounces back after Tuesday night’s defeat, as Game 2 goes down Thursday night.