Thunder Preview: OKC Looks To Get Back On Track Against Minnesota

Coming off its first loss of the season, the Thunder will be back in action on Saturday night when the Minnesota Timberwolves come to town for a Northwest Division matchup set to tip at 5:00 p.m.

Related: Durant's Big Night Leads Warriors To Blowout Win Over Thunder

Here are a few things of about the game:

Timberwolves are the team of the future

While the Thunder has faced a few young and blossoming teams to start the season, none has had as much star potential as the Timberwolves. Last year’s first pick in the draft, Karl-Anthony Towns, is considered the next big superstar in the league and is coming off a game against the Nuggets where the big man scored 32 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.

Along with Towns, Andrew Wiggins is one of the premiere young wing players in the NBA and is averaging 24 points per game this season. Wiggins is an athletic freak, and both he or teammate Zach Lavine can swing the momentum of the game with a jaw-dropping dunk.

Another young player to keep an eye on is rookie Kris Dunn, who shined last season at Providence and is considered one of the better scorers from this past draft class.

Slow start for Minnesota

With all the young talent on the roster, many thought this was the season the Timberwolves would break out and make the playoffs, but so far things have been rough for Minnesota.

The Timberwolves dropped their first two games of the year before finally picking up a win over the Grizzlies on a night where Memphis rested its star players Marc Gasol and Mike Conley.

Minnesota probably should’ve beaten the Nuggets on Thursday night, but the Timberwolves gave up a lead of at least 15 points for the third time this season. Clearly the T’Wolves are more than capable of getting up big on teams, but struggle to hold on for wins, and that could stem from a lack of veterans on the roster.

Now playing under new head coach Tom Thibodeau, it’s likely Minnesota will get back on track sooner than later.

Will the Thunder get back on track?

Following a huge win over the Clippers on Wednesday, OKC struggled to get much going against Golden State in Thursday night’s loss. Russell Westbrook shot only 4-of-15 from the field while his teammates didn’t do much to help him out while the game was still competitive.

Most of the starters got to rest down the stretch of the game since it wasn’t close, and that could play in the Thunder’s favor come Saturday night.

Coming off a blowout loss, we can expect to see a big game out of Westbrook against a young Minnesota frontcourt. Knowing his personality, Westbrook probably can’t wait to get back on the hardwood and right the ship.