×
Top Stories
Red Sox take down Braves to end 5-game skidFrancisco Lindor (2 homers) leads Mets over RockiesKyle Harrison, six relievers help Giants blank MarlinsMike Trout returns to go 1-for-5 as Angels top GuardiansErnie Clement helps power Blue Jays past struggling AthleticsDodgers reliever Evan Phillips needs Tommy John surgeryChristian Yelich homers twice, powers Brewers past PhilsAfter Knicks' Game 5 rout, pressure shifts to Pacers for Game 6Tigers place rookie Jackson Jobe on 15-day IL with elbow injuryZach Eflin shines, Orioles hold off late White Sox rallyReports: Braves RHP AJ Smith-Shawver out for season with torn UCLAngels star Mike Trout activated, in lineup as DHAndrew Abbott continues dominance as Reds top CubsRed Sox place RHP Liam Hendriks (hip) on 15-day ILJays place OF Anthony Santander (shoulder) on ILRockies add OF Sam Hilliard, INF Thairo Estrada to rosterRays reinstate OF Jake Mangum from injured listReport: 49ers finalizing deal for Eagles DE Bryce HuffTwins reinstate CF Byron Buxton from concussion ILOrioles place OF Cedric Mullins (hamstring) on IL

Thunder thrash Wolves in Game 5, storm into NBA Finals

By NBA Premium News May 29, 2025 | 3:18 AM

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder rolled to a 124-94 home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, finishing off the Western Conference finals in Game 5.
Gilgeous-Alexander added eight assists and seven rebounds as Oklahoma City closed out the best-of-seven series.
The Thunder are headed to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012 and the fifth time in franchise history. The first three appearances came when the club was based in Seattle.
Oklahoma City will host Game 1 of the Finals against either the Indiana Pacers or the New York Knicks on June 5.
The Wednesday outcome was evident early, as the Thunder buried the Timberwolves under the weight of a stifling defense and playmaking by Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren.
Oklahoma City led by 17 after the first quarter and 33 at halftime to put the game away quickly.
The Timberwolves season saw their season end in the Western Conference finals for the second consecutive year.
Gilgeous-Alexander dished out five of his assists in the opening quarter as he again showed why he was the selected the NBA’s Most Valuable Player.
After the Timberwolves scored the game’s first hoop, Gilgeous-Alexander had a hand in all five Oklahoma City baskets during an 11-0 run that started the Thunder’s march toward the blowout.
In that stretch, Gilgeous-Alexander had four assists — three on Holmgren buckets — and hit a finger roll to start the separation.
On Monday, the Timberwolves started Game 4 red hot from the field but ultimately fell 128-126.
On Wednesday, Minnesota struggled on offense from the start, going just 1 for 11 from the field over the first five minutes.
Gilgeous-Alexander outscored Minnesota in the first quarter 12-9.
The Thunder finished the first quarter on a 13-2 run, highlighted by another Gilgeous-Alexander assist — this one finding Cason Wallace for a corner 3-pointer at the buzzer to put the exclamation point on a dominant first quarter. The score was 26-9.
It didn’t get much better in the second as Oklahoma City stretched its lead.
Minnesota had more turnovers in the first half (14) than it did field goals (12). The Timberwolves finished with 21 turnovers.
Holmgren amassed 22 points and seven rebounds while Williams had 19 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with 24 points while Anthony Edwards scored 19 on 7-of-18 shooting.