Thunder win Western Conference Finals 4-1
The Thunder's big three–Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (series MVP), Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren–have arrived in the NBA Finals, announcing themselves as the rightful Western Conference champs in a blowout victory over the wilting Wolves. OKC was electric in front of (truly) Loud City, zapping a Minnesota team clearly overwhelmed by the intensity of the Thunder's play.
Minny scored 9 pitiful first quarter points, and were as likely to turn the ball over as make a shot for the entire first half. Minnesota didn't fold to open the second, but they couldn't muster any real comeback momentum while Shai (34/8/7/2) continued to cook. The home crowd wanted to celebrate early; Lu Dort obliged by nailing a couple moonball threes before checking out with the first stringers midway through the fourth quarter.
Thunder Big 3 at the half
SGA
20 PTS/8-14 FG/4 REB/5 AST
JDub
15 PTS/5-9 FG/6 REB
Chet
15 PTS/5-8 FG/2-3 3PT
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 29, 2025
Oklahoma City once more has the rest advantage to go with home court advantage over its next opponent, the eventual winner of the Knicks/Pacers series (Indy is up 3-1).
The Thunder head to the Finals for the first time since 2012. That young trio of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden seemed destined to return to the championship round despite their loss to LeBron James' Heat at the time. We know how the rest of the story goes.
Shai has led Oklahoma City further than any OKC team since that Finals team. He's exorcized the ghosts of first round exits and lifted the Klay curse that came since. But that's not his goal. The Thunder are historically good, and SGA is hungry to win the city its first championship.
Next up: OKC will rest up and prepare to host Game 1 of the Finals next Thursday. Indiana, up 3-1 over New York, could punch its ticket as soon as tomorrow in the Eastern Conference Finals' Game 5.
SGA scored or assisted on 24 of OKC’s 26 points in the 1st quarter.
The Wolves scored 9 points.
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 29, 2025
Thunder have doubled up the Wolves at halftime.
65-32.
It’s the 9 year anniversary but Game 6 Klay isn’t walking through that door.
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 29, 2025
Thunder clinch the NBA Finals on the 9 year anniversary of the franchise’s all time most heartbreaking defeat.
Poetic.
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 29, 2025