After years of rebuilds, heartbreak, and growing pains, the Oklahoma City Thunder are heading back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012. And they did it in style, steamrolling the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-94 in Game 5 to clinch the Western Conference title, winning the series 4-1.
Led by the unstoppable Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who dropped 34 points, grabbed 7 boards, and dished out 8 assists, the Thunder overwhelmed Minnesota on both ends of the floor. The All-Star guard was fittingly named the 2025 Western Conference Finals MVP, adding the Earvin “Magic” Johnson Trophy to his regular season MVP award. He is now on the verge of joining elite company as the first player since Steph Curry in 2015 to win both MVP and a championship in the same year.
First-Half Blitz: Thunder Strike Early and Hard
Minnesota drew first blood in Game 5, but that was about the only highlight of their night.
The Thunder quickly flipped the switch with a crushing 22-4 run, ending the first quarter up 26-9. That lead ballooned to 65-32 by halftime, a staggering margin that reflected both OKC’s relentless pace and Minnesota’s complete collapse.
By the end of the night, the Timberwolves had coughed up 21 turnovers, nine in the first half alone, and were thoroughly outplayed in every department. Oklahoma City, on the other hand, matched a franchise playoff record with 14 steals.
“It’s great to feel like you didn’t leave anything on the table,” said rising star Chet Holmgren, who chipped in with 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks. “Everyone down the roster got in, played well, and it’s a lot easier on the nerves than those close games.”
Historic Postseason Run
This isn’t just a Cinderella story. It’s domination. The Thunder have now recorded four wins by 30 or more points in this postseason alone, an NBA record. Their transformation from a rebuilding team to Finals contender has been rapid but meticulously built under the leadership of head coach Mark Daigneault.
“They’re unbelievably competitive,” Daigneault said postgame. “They put the work in through ups and downs. And most of all, they’re team-first. They deserve this.”
Waiting on the East: Pacers or Knicks
With the Eastern Conference Finals still underway, the Thunder will face either the Indiana Pacers or the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals. Indiana currently holds a 3-1 lead heading into Game 5 at Madison Square Garden.
Regardless of the opponent, Oklahoma City will enjoy home-court advantage thanks to their league-best 68-14 regular-season record. The Finals tip off on June 5.
Redemption and Legacy
It’s been a long road for OKC fans. From the departure of Kevin Durant in 2016 to bottoming out during the rebuild, hope was hard to come by. But this young, fearless squad has reignited a city’s passion, and they’re not done yet.
With Gilgeous-Alexander playing like a man on a mission, Holmgren anchoring the paint, and players like Jalen Williams (19 points, 8 rebounds) and Luguentz Dort (12 points) making key contributions, the Thunder have both talent and momentum on their side.
Can the Thunder go all the way and bring Oklahoma City its first NBA title? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear:
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