At long last, the 13-year wait is over.
The NBA’s top regular-season team is headed back to the Finals.
Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander unloaded 34 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder delivered a defensive clinic to close out the Minnesota Timberwolves, 124-94, in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals on Thursday (PH time), May 29.
The Oklahoma City Thunder advance to the #NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV!
— NBA (@NBA) May 29, 2025
Game 1: Thursday, 6/5 at 8:30pm/et on ABC
Chet Holmgren contributed 22 points, while Jalen Williams chipped in 19 as the Thunder advanced to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012. They now await the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks.
J-DUB STEAL... J-DUB AND-1 😤😤😤
— NBA (@NBA) May 29, 2025
OKC WITH ENERGY TO START THE 2Q ON ESPN.
Minnesota briefly led after a Julius Randle three-pointer to open the game, but it was all Oklahoma City from there.
The Thunder made an 11-0 run and never looked back, racing to a 26-9 lead at the end of the first quarter where they limited the Timberwolves to 3-of-20 shooting in the opening frame, including just 1-of-9 from long range.
By halftime, the Thunder’s trio of Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Holmgren had combined for 50 points—outscoring the entire Minnesota team—as OKC carried a commanding 65-32 lead into the break.
SGA 20 FIRST HALF POINTS.
— NBA (@NBA) May 29, 2025
OKC WITH THE LEAD AT HALFTIME ON ESPN! pic.twitter.com/AX2mCkXOkg
Overall, Oklahoma City led by as many as 37, held Minnesota to under 41% shooting, forced 21 turnovers that led to 18 points, and recorded its third-largest playoff win in the OKC era.
Meanwhile, Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with 24 points in the loss, while Anthony Edwards added 19.
After dispatching the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors in the first two rounds, Minnesota once again fell short in the Western Conference Finals — marking their second straight exit at this stage.
The Timberwolves struggled to keep pace with the younger, faster Thunder, who won three games in the series by margins of at least 15 points.
(With reports from Pao Ambat)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]
