Oklahoma City Thunder Conquer the West and Advance to the NBA Finals
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves with a score of 124-94, securing their place in the NBA Finals after closing out the Western Conference series with a decisive 4-1.
The team, which dominated the regular season with an impressive 68-14 record, now awaits the winner of the series between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks, with the Pacers leading 3-1.
The NBA Finals will begin on June 5th in Oklahoma City.
This will be the Thunder’s first Finals appearance since 2012, an achievement that comes after an exceptional season where they demonstrated their superiority by eliminating the Memphis Grizzlies (4-0) and the Denver Nuggets (4-3) before their victory over the Wolves.
WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS ⚡️
NBA Latam
During these playoffs, the Thunder achieved victories by more than thirty points on four occasions, solidifying themselves as favorites for the championship.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the attack once again, accumulating 34 points (14 of 25 in shots), seven rebounds, and eight assists. Chet Holmgren contributed 22 points and seven rebounds, while Jalen Williams added 19 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.Gilgeous Alexander was awarded the Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson award for the MVP of the Western Conference Finals.
At halftime, the Thunder’s lead was already 33 points, while the Wolves, with Julius Randle scoring 24 points and Anthony Edwards 19, struggled to stay in the game. The low shooting percentage of the Minnesota team, with 41%, limited their options.
On the Minnesota side, Rudy Gobert barely managed two points, Jaden McDaniels scored five, and Mike Conley did not score any points.
The Thunder’s dominance was evident from the start. In the first quarter, they took a 17-point lead, limiting the Wolves to only nine points. Minnesota had more turnovers than successful field goals, and only Edwards and Randle managed to score points for the visitors, outplayed in all facets of the game by OKC. Alex Caruso stood out in defense, with great aggressiveness.
A three-pointer by Cason Wallace at the end of the first quarter extended the lead to 17 points, and a 15-6 run at the start of the second quarter increased the difference to 41-15. Jalen Williams shone with thirteen points in the second quarter, while Gilgeous Alexander and Holmgren continued scoring, leading OKC to a 33-point lead at halftime.
In the third quarter, Gilgeous Alexander played all twelve minutes, and the Thunder doubled the Wolves’ score, 71-34. Although Randle and Edwards tried to react in Minnesota, with thirteen and ten points respectively, it was already too late.
In the fourth quarter, the Thunder’s lead reached 39 points (122-83), allowing coach Mike Daigneault to rest his starters and celebrate the victory until the final score of 124-94, securing their place in the Finals.
