Thu May 29 07:59:36 UTC 2025: **Oklahoma City Thunder Advance to NBA Finals After Dominating Timberwolves in Game 5**
**OKLAHOMA CITY** – The Oklahoma City Thunder are heading to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012 after a dominant 124-94 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 34 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, securing the series win for the Thunder in front of a roaring home crowd.
The Thunder came out firing on all cylinders, building a commanding 17-point lead after the first quarter, capped off by a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Cason Wallace. The Timberwolves struggled to find their rhythm, with turnovers plaguing their offense from the start.
“I didn’t want to go back to Minnesota travel-wise and I wanted the fans to enjoy the moment with us,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
Chet Holmgren contributed 22 points and seven rebounds, while Jalen Williams added 19 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, showcasing the Thunder’s balanced attack. The Timberwolves, led by Julius Randle with 24 points and Anthony Edwards with 19, couldn’t overcome the Thunder’s stifling defense and offensive firepower.
“They dominated the game from the tip,” Edwards admitted. “Can’t do nothing but tip my hat to those guys. They came ready.”
The Thunder will now face the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks, with Game 1 of the NBA Finals scheduled for June 5th in Oklahoma City.
Despite the victory, Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized that this is not the end goal. “Happy for this moment, but this isn’t our goal,” he said. “This isn’t the end of our road.”
First Piper 