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OKLAHOMA CITY— A relentless double-team on the ball resulted in a steal and a spectacular dunk. Following that, a blocked shot transformed into a series of precise passes leading to a jump shot in transition. This all unfolded before the intensity ramped up — with heightened defensive efforts and a surge in scoring.
This was a clear indication of a team in desperation. And this was undoubtedly the essence of the scenario for the 68-win, top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, currently ahead 3-1 in the Western Conference Finals.
They were eager to advance and check off another milestone in a season marked by supremacy. And they accomplished that on Wednesday with remarkable flair.
This game was a one-sided affair. The dominant team showcased its full potential, overwhelming the Wolves and decisively clinching the West with a commanding 124-94 victory in Game 5. The Oklahoma City Thunder are headed to the NBA Finals for only the second time in the history of the franchise (and the first since 2012). Given the Thunder’s performance since the season opener in October, who is surprised?
Not many. Until further notice — and there isn’t much time left in the season — Oklahoma City stands as the best team remaining, and could prove to be the last team standing if this form continues.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was once again exceptional in the win, conserving enough energy to claim the series’ Most Valuable Player trophy. He received plenty of support from teammates Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso, and others.
“Our game plan was working perfectly — we applied defensive pressure, provided help on defense, and responded well to their offensive strategy,” said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault. “Despite the distractions of closing out a game to reach the Finals, our focus was sharp. The mental fortitude was impressive. Being up 3-1, it’s easy to lose focus, but we maintained our approach, one possession at a time.”
Now, the team looks ahead to their next matchup, scheduled for June 5 (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC) in Oklahoma City against the victor of the Indiana-New York Eastern Conference series.
Here are five key takeaways from Oklahoma City’s decisive elimination of the Wolves in this five-game series, alongside insights into what lies ahead.
The last time the Thunder appeared in the NBA Finals, they were led by a trio on the fast track to stardom: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. At that time, these players had four years or less of NBA experience but were ahead of expectations.
Now, after a period of rebuilding, the key figures have changed. It’s now Shai, Chet, and J-Dub, already on a first-name or nickname basis with the basketball community, and much like 13 years ago, they are challenging norms regarding youth and experience from a championship perspective.
This new trio is eager to achieve what the earlier legends couldn’t, and the odds appear to favor them. Their chemistry is solid, with one member already earning the league MVP title (Durant, Westbrook, and Harden were years away from their MVP accolades), and they will be favored against either the Pacers or Knicks as they emerge from the East.
The trio from OKC dominated the Wolves. Holmgren provided vital rim protection, effectively containing Julius Randle while also stretching the floor. Williams served as an excellent co-pilot, controlling the game at various moments. Gilgeous-Alexander might not have matched his usual efficiency, but he still outperformed Anthony Edwards, which was all that mattered.
“We’ve learned from our experiences,” Williams noted.
This team’s core is robust and possesses the ability to execute plays on both ends of the court, complementing each other’s strengths. This “Big 3” brings multiple dimensions and showcases dominance. While it’s early to claim they’re merely beginning — given the past struggles of their predecessors in 2012 and beyond — in the upcoming round, Holmgren, Gilgeous-Alexander, and Williams may prove to be too overwhelming.
“This isn’t our ultimate goal,” Gilgeous-Alexander stated. “We have one more round ahead, and we just need to keep improving.”
When comparing Oklahoma City’s two star-driven Finals teams, separated by a span of 13 years.
Leading a 68-win squad? Check. All-Star? Absolutely. Scoring champion? Confirmed. First-Team All-NBA? Accomplished. NBA MVP? Indeed. And now, he’s also the MVP of the Western Conference Finals and is heading to the NBA Finals.
Everything is falling into place for Gilgeous-Alexander as he approaches what could be a dream season. From both personal and team perspectives, it’s challenging to find a comparable season — depending on how he finishes the journey. Let’s hold off on proclaiming this his best season ever until after.
In this closeout game, he scored 34 points and played a pivotal role in OKC’s initial five baskets. “He set the tone,” Daigneault remarked. This marked the second time Gilgeous-Alexander excelled under pressure, previously scoring 35 points in Game 7 against the Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals.
“He understood his role within our team’s mentality,” Daigneault said. “He was ready to make an impact from the start.”
Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance during the regular season and throughout the playoffs puts him in rare territory. He is now the first MVP to reach the NBA Finals in the same season since Stephen Curry during the 2015-16 campaign.
Upon accepting the Western Finals MVP trophy, he briefly raised it before attempting to hand it off to a teammate, eager to share the accolade. He also aims to secure a few more trophies available after the next round.
If he succeeds — claiming both the Finals trophy and the Finals MVP — he might hold onto them a bit longer.
Reaching the conference finals two consecutive times is not a common feat for players of his age. At just 23, Edwards hasn’t missed this opportunity, though he faced a humbling experience, which may be beneficial in the long run.
Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Dončić, the young stars who have triumphed over him in the last two years of conference finals, represent a step above. This realization could serve as a hard lesson for Edwards, targeting his ego directly.
While he possesses a strong confidence in his ability to be among the best — and his talent certainly backs that claim — Edwards still has steps to take to reach that level. The elite players consistently deliver strong performances. This does not mean they are flawless every night, but they are accountable and always pose a threat. Edwards experienced quiet moments during this series, and while OKC’s defense against him was highly effective, both scenarios can coexist.
He should draw lessons from these conference finals setbacks, driving him to become a more determined player. If the Wolves can provide him with the support he needs and he transforms that hunger for success into results, he’s sure to take the next step without missteps.
The summer ahead will be crucial for the Wolves. First on the agenda is the ownership transition, with Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez officially assuming control. Their early decisions, influenced through general manager Tim Connelly, could fundamentally shape the team’s direction, particularly concerning free agents: Randle (with a player option), Naz Reid, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Retaining all three could create financial challenges, pushing them towards the dreaded second apron and the significant tax implications and roster limitations it entails.
Randle is pivotal in this scenario. He performed well for much of the playoffs, but his flaws (excessive dribbling, turnovers) ultimately became apparent. The Wolves acquired him through last summer’s trade involving Karl-Anthony Towns; losing him would leave them with little to show for that transaction.
If they retain Reid alongside Rudy Gobert, they will face significant costs for two centers. Additionally, Alexander-Walker’s contract could push them deep into the tax territory, making that decision doubly impactful.
The Wolves can gain insights into what it takes to build a championship-caliber team following their defeat at the hands of OKC.
This observation bears repeating, as the pattern persists: OKC’s greatest asset is its capacity to neutralize its opponents’ threats. This game was effectively decided in the first quarter when the Wolves managed only three baskets while committing four turnovers. That was when victory was firmly in hand.
Daigneault noted that the defensive performance in the first half was the best this team has delivered. Minnesota scored a mere nine points in that first quarter — in an elimination match.
The roster was constructed with a focus on defensive prowess, featuring players who conserve their energy for that side of the ball, fostering a collective commitment to stopping the opponent or, better yet, taking the ball away. The best way to articulate what OKC did to the Wolves in Game 5 — and in all but one game throughout this series — is to say Minnesota struggled to execute essential actions like dribbling, shooting, and passing.
It felt like … a labor. Meanwhile, from Oklahoma City’s viewpoint, they minimized open shots, executed rapid rotations, contested dribbles, and made baskets hard to come by.
“We dictated how we intended to approach the game and how we wanted to challenge the ball,” Gilgeous-Alexander noted.
What was particularly disheartening for the Wolves was that when they did find open opportunities, they often could not capitalize. Those missed chances were costly.
If defense indeed wins championships, OKC is bringing the essential component to the NBA Finals, where titles are earned.
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Shaun Powell has been covering the NBA for over 25 years. You can email him here, explore his archive here, and follow him on social media.
The opinions expressed on this page do not necessarily reflect those of the NBA, its franchises, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
