Oklahoma City Thunder’s Postseason Fate Gets a 3-Word Reaction From Perkins

Ahead of Game 1, ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins said during their coverage that securing Game 1 is important to the Wolves. According to the former NBA player, they must win the opening game of the best-of-seven series in order to seize control of the series.

“This is a must-win for the Minnesota Timberwolves,” Perk said. “…If they want to win this series, they gotta win this game tonight.”

Unfortunately for the Wolves, they couldn’t secure the win and fell to a 0-1 series disadvantage. At the end of the game, Perkins went back to what he said and predicted the Thunder would win the series in six games.

“OKC in 6,” the 2008 champion posted on X.

Game 2 will be on Thursday at Paycom Center. The Wolves will try to win the next one to change the series’ narrative.

ESPN’s commentator threw shade at the Oklahoma City Thunder’s star

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a unique reputation among fans on social media. Due to the nature of how he draws fouls, people have called him a “free-throw merchant.” They’ve heavily criticized the 6-foot-6 guard for the number of shots he takes from the charity stripe.

This season, he led the league in free throw makes for a second straight year. He averaged 7.9 makes from the free-throw line through 8.8 attempts. Even in the postseason, that has not changed. The three-time All-Star averages 7.5 makes from the charity stripe.

At the start of Game 1, Gilgeous-Alexander got into the line early in the first quarter. He had seven attempts from the line and made five shots. ESPN’s Doris Burke brought up his reputation as a free-throw merchant.

“There’s a reason NBA Twitter calls him a free throw merchant,” Burke said.

He finished the game shooting 11-for-14 from the line. With the physicality of the postseason, it’s expected that he gets fouled numerous times in the game.