The Oklahoma City Thunder made quick work of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals.
Game 3 proved to be an anomaly, where Minnesota blew them out by 42 points and Game 4 was a not-so comfortable win for the Thunder. Despite those two games, the Thunder dominated and won the other games comfortably.
In Wednesday’s series clinching Game 5, Oklahoma City crushed Minnesota 124-94. The win sent the Thunder to the NBA finals, where they’ll face the winner of the Eastern Conference. Once again, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 34 points.
Gilgeous-Alexander has been in the spotlight all week. The Thunder star was named the NBA’s regular season MVP, adding some extra buzz before the finals even begin.
NBA Communications highlighted an interesting note that got people talking, and brought Steph Curry’s name back into the spotlight:
"Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be the first player to win the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award and play in the NBA Finals presented by @YouTubeTV in the same season since Golden State’s Stephen Curry in 2015-16.
That note got fans buzzing online:
Here, an observer said: "CONGRATS SGA Joker is kinda getting disrespected at this point..."
"should’ve been luka last year and jokic the year before but the voters suck," called out this fan.
"Might get that triple crown MVP, WCFMVP, FMVP," commented here.
"MVP award merchant," from this fan.
This fan isn't impressed: "Both are manufactured by the league…one has to get 100 illegal screens per game and the other is a flopper who u can’t even breathe on and his team is allowed to foul you nonstop without any consequences…"
Another not impressed here: "Fake MVP."
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30).
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30).
Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
This will be the first finals appearance for Gilgeous-Alexander. The 26-year-old was selected 11th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, but was traded to the Clippers on draft night. After a year in Los Angeles, he was dealt to Oklahoma City in the Paul George trade in 2019.
Since then, he’s developed into one of the league’s brightest stars.
Steph Curry, now 37, has two MVPs (2015 and 2016) and a finals MVP to his name. He’s an 11-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion with Golden State. The Warriors selected him 7th overall in the 2009 draft, and he’s remained with the franchise ever since.
Game 1 of the NBA finals tips off June 5 in Oklahoma City. The Thunder will host the first two games before heading on the road to face either the Pacers or the Knicks. Indiana leads that series 3-1, with Game 5 set for Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.