Julian Strawther isn’t supposed to be that guy. But in Game 6, with the Nuggets staring down elimination and the Thunder feeling themselves, the 23-year-old came off the bench, dropped a career-playoff-high 15 points, and basically told OKC, “Not yet.” The Nuggets live to see Game 7 — and Strawther just made sure the Wolves have to cool their heels a little longer.

Strawther’s impact wasn’t just timely — it was explosive. He logged 20 minutes, went 4-of-8 from the field, and knocked down 3-of-4 from deep. And here’s the kicker: all 15 of his points came in the second half. He was 0-for-1 before halftime, then came out swinging. Third quarter? That’s when he lit the match — two threes and a layup during a pivotal 10-0 Denver run that cracked the game open. Fourth quarter? Same energy. Another big three, steady hustle, and defense that had coach David Adelman handing out flowers postgame, “Julian is going to get credit for scoring 15 points. I thought he held water defensively, too. That was a big deal.”

Postgame, he said a line that should be on every playoff T-shirt right now: “In a win or go home situation, there’s no energy to conserve.” And he played exactly like that — knowing this might be his only shot, he gave it everything he had.

Before this game, Julian Strawther had 17 total playoff points. Now? He’s got an entire fanbase calling this “The Julian Strawther Game.”

And just like that, the ripple effect hits Minnesota.

The 2025 Western Conference Finals were supposed to start on May 18. That’s cooked. Game 7 between Denver and OKC pushed the tip-off to May 20. That might not sound like a big deal, but for the Minnesota Timberwolves, it’s a weird spot.

Julian Strawther Delays the Inevitable — and the Wolves Might Pay for It

Minnesota handled their business fast. They packed up the Warriors in five and moved on without a scratch. But now they’re in limbo — and momentum hates waiting around. Timing fades. Shooting rhythm cools. Energy dips. Rust is real, and no team wants to enter Game 1 looking like they just rolled out of bed.

To make matters worse, the Wolves can’t lock in on a game plan until Game 7 ends. Are they preparing for Nikola Jokic’s surgical pick-apart or Shai-Gilgeous Alexander’s chaotic slashing and kickouts? Those are two wildly different problems — and trying to solve both at once is a nightmare. Every extra day makes it harder to stay sharp, mentally and tactically.

History doesn’t offer much clarity either. The 2019 Raptors made good use of a long break and won it all. But the 2015 Cavs? They cooled off and got steamrolled. The 2014 Spurs stayed ready — but they had a locker room full of grown men and championship DNA. Rest can help, or it can wreck your rhythm.

Meanwhile, Denver and OKC are fighting for survival. The Game 7 winner won’t just be advancing — they’ll be locked in emotionally and physically, coming off a high-stakes war. That edge doesn’t disappear overnight. And if the Wolves start slow, they’ll be staring at a deficit before they break a sweat.

The playoffs tipped off April 19. The West Finals were supposed to start May 18. But Denver and OKC refused to blink — and then Julian Strawther lit a fuse off the bench in Game 6. His surprise explosion pushed everything back. Now the Conference Finals won’t tip until May 20. The Finals still begin June 5, but Minnesota’s path just got a little bumpier.

They earned their rest. But now comes the harder part — dodging the rust.