In an exhilarating Game 5 showdown, the Oklahoma City Thunder triumphed over the Minnesota Timberwolves, marking their return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012.
As the final buzzer neared, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joyfully spread his arms wide, celebrating the Thunder’s impending victory.
Cason Wallace raised his arm high, eager for the ball to find the net.
And moments later, it did.
Wallace’s buzzer-beater three-pointer punctuated a commanding opening quarter for Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder, propelling them to a 124-94 victory at home on Wednesday, concluding the Western Conference finals.
Gilgeous-Alexander shone with a stellar performance, netting 34 points, alongside eight assists and seven rebounds, as the Thunder wrapped up the series.
“I didn’t want to return to Minnesota for travel, and I wanted our fans to savor this moment with us,” said Gilgeous-Alexander.
Oklahoma City is heading to the Finals for the fifth time in its history—its first since 2012. Three of those appearances came during the team’s time in Seattle.
Game 1 of the Finals is set for June 5, where they will face either the Indiana Pacers or the New York Knicks.
“I’m grateful for this moment, but our ultimate goal lies ahead,” Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized. “This isn’t the end of our journey.”
The Thunder established an overwhelming lead early on, showcasing a powerful defense paired with playmaking from Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren.
With a 17-point lead after the first quarter and a staggering 33-point margin by halftime, they secured the win decisively.
This marks a second consecutive season-ending for the Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals.
“I’m ready to put in the work this offseason,” Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards stated. “I’ll be the hardest worker this summer, no doubt.”
Gilgeous-Alexander made his mark early, contributing five assists in the first quarter alone, reinforcing his status as the NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).
After Minnesota scored the first basket, Gilgeous-Alexander played a key role in an 11-0 run that set the tone for the Thunder’s dominance.
He recorded four assists, three of which were on baskets by Holmgren, and completed the run with a smooth finger roll.
Unlike Game 4, where the Timberwolves began strong but ultimately lost, they experienced a sluggish start on Wednesday, making just 1-of-11 from the field in the opening minutes.
Gilgeous-Alexander not only outscored Minnesota in the first quarter (12-9) but had a hand in 24 of the Thunder’s 26 points during that stretch.
In a sign of their struggles, the Timberwolves recorded 14 turnovers in the first half, surpassing their total field goals (12) during that period. They ended the game with 21 turnovers.
Holmgren contributed significantly with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Williams added 19 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
“These guys make me feel like a kid again, having fun like I did in AAU basketball,” Gilgeous-Alexander expressed. “That joy is key to our success.”
Julius Randle led Minnesota with 24 points, with Edwards trailing at 19.
“They controlled the game from the beginning,” Edwards acknowledged. “I have to respect their readiness and effort.”
