The Oklahoma City Thunder took a commanding 2-0 series lead in the Western Conference Finals, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves by the final score of 118-103 in Game 2 on Thursday.

When it comes to health and durability, LeBron James is the highest standard. The 22-year NBA veteran is an expert at taking care of his body and finding the balance between rest and work. He's been a model of consistency for over two decades and has a way of bouncing back from injuries like nobody else in the league.

Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves faced their first back-to-back losses in these playoffs following their Game 2 loss against the Thunder. The Thunder took a resounding lead and never took their foot off the gas pedal.

The last time an American-born player walked away with the top honor was James Harden in 2018. The run of international players winning MVP -- Gilgeous-Alexander is from Canada -- speaks to the expanding global reach of the NBA and the increased number of talent outside of the United States.

Julius Randle struggled in a very familiar manner in the playoffs as the Timberwolves benched him late against the Thunder.

The league has fined Timberwolves All-Star guard Anthony Edwards $50K for his use of “profane language” during a postgame interview, the NBA announced in a press statement. Edwards uttered the offending language after Minnesota fell in a 114-88 Game 1 blowout road loss against the Thunder on Tuesday,