The Oklahoma City Thunder have started Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves in a dominant fashion. The first half, especially, was a complete blowout from the Thunder.
They won the first quarter 26-9 and the second 39-23. Overall, it was a 65-32 score in favor of the Thunder at the end of the first half.
This 33-point lead is their largest in franchise playoff history. The Thunder lead the Western Conference final series 3-1 and look well on their way to wrapping it up.
With a win, they will secure a place in the NBA finals and will play against either the Indiana Pacers or the New York Knicks. The Pacers currently lead 3-1 in the ECF.
This season's MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, has once again been phenomenal for the Thunder in Game 5. In the first half, the Canadian put on a masterclass.
He scored 20 points, managed four rebounds, and five assists in the first two quarters. Gilgeous-Alexander looks set to fight for the ring by reaching the finals.
In the first quarter, the 26-year-old scored or assisted 24 of the Thunder's 26 points.
The Timberwolves, on the other hand, have looked a step behind throughout the series. The dominant win in Game 3 signalled a potential comeback.
However, they suffered an agonizing close defeat in Game 4. Chris Finch's side had the worst possible start to Game 5, a must-win.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been the Thunder's key man. He is the second Canadian player ever to win the MVP award, following Steve Nash.
Nash, a two-time MVP winner, however, has suggested that Gilgeous-Alexander has already surpassed him, as he recently told the Toronto Star:
"I mean, he's heading way past me. He's a historic player already. The fact that he won over Nikola Jokic, who's on his way to being one of the top — I don't know, he keeps going — one, two, three, four, five best players ever, shows you how amazing a season Shai had, and how galvanizing he is for his team and organization, and how he just continues to get better and better.