By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Domination! The Oklahoma City Thunder are the first team to reach the NBA Finals after winning the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves 4–1.
In the decisive Game 5, OKC cruised past the Wolves at home, claiming a dominant 124–94 victory and advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 34 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, earning the Western Conference Finals MVP award. He averaged 31.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists against Minnesota to take home the Earvin “Magic” Johnson Trophy.
“We’ve got a lot of growing to do,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do to get to our ultimate goal, and this is not it, so that’s all that I’m focused on.”
Chet Holmgren followed with 22 points and seven rebounds in Game 5, while Jalen Williams added 19 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. German international Isaiah Hartenstein chipped in with eight points and five boards in 17 minutes off the bench.
On the other side, the Timberwolves bowed out with Julius Randle scoring 24 points, Anthony Edwards adding 19, and both Naz Reid and Terrence Shannon Jr. finishing with 11 points each.
Oklahoma City becomes the first team to punch its ticket to the NBA Finals and will battle for the Larry O’Brien Trophy against either the Indiana Pacers or the New York Knicks. The Pacers currently lead that series 3–1 heading into Game 5.