BREAKING: OKC Thunder Make NBA History After Advancing to NBA Finals
Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals was a crucial one for both the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Oklahoma City entered Wednesday’s contest looking to clinch the series and advance to the NBA Finals with a victory while Minnesota was looking to keep their season alive after falling into a 3-1 hole.
It was the Thunder who would come out on top in dominant fashion as they picked up an easy 124-94 victory on Wednesday night at home.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way for the Thunder in Game 5 as he finished the game with 34 points, seven rebounds and eight assists en route to being named the 2025 Western Conference Finals MVP winner.
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Chet Holmgren also had an incredible performance as he recorded 22 points and seven rebounds while Jalen Williams added 19 points, eight rebounds and five assists of his own in the victory.
With their victory in Game 5 on Wednesday, the Thunder have officially advanced to the NBA Finals which is their first appearance since 2012.
By making the NBA Finals, the Thunder also made NBA history as they became the second youngest team to ever reach the NBA Finals with an average roster age of 25.6 years old.
The only younger team to do so was the 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers who had an average roster age of 24.2 years old and was led to a championship by Hall of Famer Bill Walton.
Oklahoma City will now look to do the same as the Trail Blazers did as they try to win their first championship since moving to Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2), forward Chet Holmgren (7), forward Jalen Williams (8), guard Luguentz Dort
© Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Of course, the Thunder still await the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks with the Pacers holding a 3-1 lead in that series.
Oklahoma City will be at home to start the NBA Finals as it begins on June 5 on ESPN.