Five takeaways from Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals

The MVP was relentless in getting shots close to the basket. Seven of Gilgeous-Alexander's 12 field goals were on shots in the paint, while 11 of the 12 went in from 13 feet or closer. It was an efficient performance that felt like a throwback to before the three-point era — 38 points on 21 shots, with 13-for-15 on free throws. Any 90s MVP would be proud.

2. The end of the third quarter belongs to the Thunder

Oklahoma City won Game 1 by 26 points, but midway through the third quarter, the game was tied. Then it went on a 17-2 run to seize control of the game, holding Minnesota to a single bucket for a stretch of six minutes.

It was the same story in Game 2. With 6:28 to go in the third, Oklahoma City had a five-point lead. Then the Timberwolves didn't make a field goal for six minutes, the Thunder went on a 14-2 run and a 10-0 run, taking a 22-point lead by the end of the quarter.

Perhaps teams can only hang with the frenetic Thunder for 30 minutes before they start to get fatigued. In both games, a close game turned into a blowout within minutes. The Thunder set a record for the most 10-0 runs in a single season (since play-by-play data started in 1996-97), and the backbreaking runs have continued in the playoffs.

3. Julius Randle has been stifled for six quarters

After Julius Randle sank five three-pointers and scored 20 points in the first half of Game 1, he's scored only 14 points since. Randle got to the line for four free throws in the first half of Game 1, and for four free throws since then. He's also not doing anything else.

Randle has five assists since that first half, and six turnovers. He's not playing good defense, he's not particularly grabbing rebounds and his team has been outscored by 35 points in his 50 minutes. His struggles have been exacerbated by Rudy Gobert's seven points in two games, Donte DiVincenzo averaging 8.5 points and Naz Reid shooting 0-for-12 on three-pointers. 

But Randle's supposed to be the No. 2 scoring option for Minnesota, and he's been invisible.

4. Free-throw shooting wasn't the difference

Gilgeous-Alexander's allegedly favorable whistle from the referees and his multiple trips to the foul line had become a storyline after Game 1. He got the foul line for 15 free throws in Game 2, but overall, the Timberwolves shot 26 free throws to the Thunder's 24 and got called for 20 fouls to OKC's 22.

The Thunder do play physical defense, committing the sixth-most fouls in the NBA this season, but SGA also drives more than any player in the NBA. And the one-point advantage on free throws didn't help the Wolves overcome the 16-point deficit everywhere else.

5. Jalen Williams is the second star the Thunder need

Williams had an up-and-down series against the Denver Nuggets with four poor shooting games. But in the Thunder's last three playoff games, he's averaged 23 points on 53% shooting, 7.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.3 steals. In those three games, he has a grand total of one turnover.

The only argument against Williams as the Thunder's perfect second star is the presence of another excellent player, center Chet Holmgren. Williams had 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists Thursday night, while Holmgren scored 22 points in 32 minutes. Williams is doing more damage on offense, while Holmgren is helping to erase the Wolves' big men.

Two legitimate second stars is a nice problem to have. If they want to keep one-upping each other in the playoffs, the Thunder will ride that all the way to the NBA Finals.