The Oklahoma City Thunder are back at the top of world basketball. Thirty-four points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a suffocating defense and a devastating start were enough to crush the overmatched Minnesota Timberwolves (124-94), who are now 4-1 in the Western Conference Finals. Thirteen years after losing in the Finals to LeBron James ' Miami Heat , the Thunder return to the biggest stage of all, this time as a young, versatile and terrifying project.
A gale from the start
The first quarter (26-9) made it clear what was coming. Minnesota, unable to respond to Oklahoma's electric pace, was overwhelmed on defense and totally shut down on offense. At halftime, the score was 65-32. It was all doomed. Mark Daigneault 's team , with an average age of just 24, turned the game into a tactical and physical exhibition.
Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has taken over from legends like Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, led his team with 34 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists in just 33 minutes. His dominance on both ends of the court made him the deserved MVP of the West Finals, consolidating his candidacy for the throne of best player in the world.
STIFLING OKC defense in Game 5 🤯
7 points allowed through 10 minutes! pic.twitter.com/pCHf8E7BEL
- NBA (@NBA) May 29, 2025
Alongside him, Chet Holmgren (22 points) and Jaylen Williams (19) were again key on a team that has reinvented defensive basketball in the triple-double era. Oklahoma doesn't just play pretty, they also devour you without the ball.
Anthony Edwards, who had been one of the stars of the playoffs, turned in a very quiet performance with 19 points, nine of them at halftime. Stifled by the opposing defense, the Wolves point guard ended the game by acknowledging the superiority of the opponent: "They are like 15 puppets on a string".
Shai ➡️ Chet for the slam!
1Q of Wolves (1-3) Thunder Game 5 is underway on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/GYC3Jt8OGZ
- NBA (@NBA) May 29, 2025
Minnesota, which had knocked off the Lakers and Warriors (both 4-1) with authority, ran into the Thunder's wall. Their game plan blew up within minutes. Players like Mike Conley (0 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist in 21 minutes) or Naz Reid lived a nightmare.
Defense, the soul of Oklahoma
The most impressive thing was not the Thunder's offense, but their choral defense, a seamless system where there are no mismatches. They combine intensity, order, discipline and speed, with constant help coverage that nullifies the opponent. Minnesota scored only 12 shots from the field in the first half, with 14 turnovers forced by Oklahoma.
SGA 🤝 ANT
SGA 🤝 RANDLE
Respect 💯 pic.twitter.com/sHHmelpmvR
- NBA (@NBA) May 29, 2025
The Timberwolves' strategy to free Edwards through high blocks and off-ball play was totally stifled by a defense that even pressed beyond half court. The Thunder not only adjust, they also anticipate, and their psychological pressure proved stifling.
Oklahoma seeks its first ring since 1979
If the Indiana Pacers -who lead their series against the New York Knicks- are confirmed, the NBA Finals promise an exciting clash of styles: the collective and joyful game of Indiana against the physical and defensive gale of Oklahoma.
THE 2024-25 WEST CHAMPION OKC THUNDER RECEIVES THE OSCAR ROBERTSON TROPHY 🏆 pic.twitter.com/JI1Lq9QKXf
- NBA (@NBA) May 29, 2025
Although the franchise already lifted the title in 1979 as Seattle SuperSonics, this would be the first ring in Thunder history as an Oklahoma City franchise. And, looking at their level, it doesn't seem like a utopia.