SGA, Thunder Beat Wolves to Reach NBA Finals as Fans Celebrate Dominant Game 5 Defense

Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals was over almost as soon as it began.

The Oklahoma City Thunder jumped out to a 26-9 lead after the quarter, were up by as many as 37 points in the third quarter and booked their place in the NBA Finals in relaxing fashion, blowing out the Minnesota Timberwolves, 124-94.

It was the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander show, as usual, as the 2024-25 MVP led all scorers with 34 points to go along with eight assists, seven rebounds and two steals. Jalen Williams (19 points, eight boards) and Chet Holmgren (22 points, seven rebounds, three blocks) held down the fort as well.

Anthony Edwards managed 19 points and Julius Randle added 24, but the rest of the Wolves starters put up just seven points combined.

OKC's defense forced 21 turnovers in the win, and NBA fans and pundits were impressed with the team's two-way dominance in the relatively drama-free victory:

The Thunder haven't reached the NBA Finals since the 2011-12 season, losing to LeBron James' Miami Heat in five games. That was the beginning of the end for the Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden era—Harden was traded that offseason after he failed to reach an extension with the team, Kevin Durant left in free agency four years later, and the Thunder started the long road back prominence.

This group feels different from that bunch, however. The Thunder won an incredible 68 games during the regular season, will be heavy favorites in this year's Finals whether they face the Indiana Pacers or New York Knicks and have all of their major core pieces under contract through next season.

They also have a boatload of draft picks still owed to them and a core that probably hasn't even peaked yet. It isn't time to crown the Thunder champions just yet, but a dynasty may be burgeoning.