The Oklahoma City Thunder are headed back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012 — and they did it in emphatic fashion.
With a commanding 124–91 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, the Thunder closed out the series 4–1 and cemented their place atop the Western Conference. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 34 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds on 14-of-25 shooting, earning unanimous Western Conference Finals MVP honors.
Oklahoma City overwhelmed Minnesota from the opening tip, jumping out to a 26–9 lead after the first quarter and never looking back. The Thunder held the Timberwolves to their lowest-scoring quarter of the season, forced 21 turnovers, and outshot them 52.7% to 41.2% from the field. It was a wire-to-wire performance that embodied the growth, depth, and toughness of one of the league’s youngest and most dangerous teams.
Shai and Daigneault Set the Tone
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the Western Conference Finals MVP 🙌 pic.twitter.com/pkcIHIjfg6
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 29, 2025
Gilgeous-Alexander, who has delivered repeatedly in clutch moments throughout the postseason, once again set the tone for Oklahoma City with his efficient scoring and leadership.
“I just go out there and compete and leave everything on the floor,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after the win. “We have a really good team, and I try to set the tone. The team picks me up with the way they compete, so it’s a push and pull.”
When asked about the team’s approach to high-stakes moments, Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized a key mantra that has guided them all season: “You don’t flinch. That’s our biggest thing—ups and downs during the season, ups and downs during the game, you don’t flinch, you keep pressing.”
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault credited his group’s laser focus and maturity in the closeout performance.
“We had it all going — defensive pressure, defensive help, responding offensively to what they were trying to do to us,” Daigneault said. “The focus through the distraction of a close-out game to go to the Finals, they were laser focused. The mental toughness was great. Obviously, up 3-1, there’s a tendency to drift ahead, but that wasn’t the case. We played next possession.”
He didn’t mince words when describing how thoroughly his team outperformed Minnesota.
“This was no contest,” Daigneault added. “We were ready to play and did everything better than them from the jump tonight. We dug ourselves a hole early but tried to drum it up a couple of times. They kept their foot on the gas and we were never able to give ourselves any traction.”
Daigneault also praised his team’s physicality, which stifled the Timberwolves from the start.
“They were way more physical and forceful on both ends of the floor, and that’s a tough combination,” Daigneault said. “We can learn from this and be better moving forward.”
Balanced Attack and Defensive Dominance
In addition to Gilgeous-Alexander’s brilliance, the Thunder received major contributions from their deep and versatile rotation. Chet Holmgren finished with 19 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks, while Jalen Williams hit multiple threes and brought relentless energy on both ends. Alex Caruso played a crucial role defensively, helping to contain Anthony Edwards and disrupt Minnesota’s offensive rhythm.
The Timberwolves, meanwhile, struggled across the board. Rudy Gobert was held to two points on just one shot attempt, Jaden McDaniels went 2-for-13 from the field, and Mike Conley failed to score. The Thunder’s defense repeatedly collapsed passing lanes and forced tough shots, while controlling the boards 46–39 and holding Minnesota to 5-of-25 from beyond the arc.
“This journey is not easy, and it’s not meant to be easy,” Williams said. “These experiences will make us better. Down the stretch, you’ve got to know the score, obviously, but you can’t let that affect the game. They’re going to score. They’re a really good team. … I think a lot of it is we just stayed with it.”
First NBA Finals Appearance Since 2012
Welcome back to the NBA Finals @okcthunder!
The final moments of the Thunder eliminating the Spurs in the 2012 WCFpic.twitter.com/8sasboUCE1
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) May 29, 2025
Oklahoma City’s 2025 Finals berth marks a watershed moment for the franchise. Just three seasons ago, the Thunder were in the midst of a rebuild, finishing with 22 wins in 2021. Now, they’ve emerged as Western Conference champions following a 68-win regular season and playoff victories over Denver and Minnesota.
Their Finals appearance is the franchise’s first since 2012 — when Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden led the charge — and it comes with a roster that’s the second-youngest to reach the NBA Finals in the shot clock era (average age 25.6). That achievement underscores the impact of general manager Sam Presti’s long-term vision and the patience of ownership and fans alike.
The Thunder have built through the draft, player development, and strategic acquisitions, resisting the temptation to chase superstars in free agency or via trade. Their success is a blueprint for small-market teams and a validation of sustained organizational planning.
“My teammates make the NBA feel enjoyable, not like a job. We have an incredible time playing together. This is not the end of our journey,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We didn’t begin the season with the goal of merely winning the West; our aim is to secure the NBA championship. We are one step closer.”
The Thunder now await the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals as they prepare to return to basketball’s biggest stage — not just as a feel-good story, but as a legitimate threat to win it all.
