Here is a relevant title based on the content: The Battle for the Western Conference: Thunder vs. Timberwolves as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards Face Off
The Oklahoma City Thunder's dominant 125-93 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals was a testament to their worthiness of making the conference finals for the first time in nearly a decade. The Thunder showed a clear difference between themselves and the hobbled and limited Nuggets, who were unable to keep up with the Thunder's relentless offense and defense. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder's star-studded lineup's leader, has been too much to handle for most opponents this season. His efficiency in the last few games, averaging over 32 points and shooting in the 60% range, has quieted any doubts about his ability to carry the team to victory. The Thunder's young core, with Gilgeous-Alexander being the eldest at 26 years old, has been one of the top teams in the conference for the last two years. Their ability to play and win close games has been questioned at times, but their 68 wins this season were no fluke, as evidenced by their dominant performance in Game 7. The Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards, will be the opponent in the conference finals. Edwards is a force on both ends of the court, and his authenticity and ability to lift his teammates around him make him a must-see player in the NBA. The series between the Thunder and Timberwolves will be a battle of two of the brightest young stars in the league, with Edwards and Gilgeous-Alexander vying for the title of "face of the league." The Timberwolves have also been a force this season, with Julius Randle leading the way. Randle has been efficient in both regular season and playoffs, averaging 24 points on 51% shooting, grabbing six rebounds and adding six assists. He will face a tough matchup against the Thunder's defense, starting with Chet Holmgren. The series between the Thunder and Timberwolves will be a battle of depth and health, with both teams having a deep roster of talented players. The focus will be on the superstars, with Edwards and Gilgeous-Alexander looking to make a name for themselves in the "face of the league" discussion. It's hard to convey urgency to young teams, but today's league has shown that opportunities must be maximized and cherished. The Thunder and Timberwolves have shown that they are more than capable of making a run at the conference title, and it will be exciting to see how they fare against each other in the conference finals.