OKLAHOMA City Thunder rolled to a 124-94 home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, finishing off the NBA Western Conference finals in Game 5 on Wednesday night (Thursday in the Philippines) at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points to go with eight assists and seven rebounds to be named Western Conference Finals MVP as the Thunder closed out the best-of-seven series at 4-1.
The Thunder are headed to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012, where Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden bowed to Miami Heat, and only the fifth time in franchise history.
Chet Holmgren amassed 22 points and seven rebounds, Jalen Williams had 19 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while Lutguenz Dort and Isaiah Joe had 12 and 11 markers, respectively, for OKC.
“We’re happy we’re going to the Finals but I don’t wanna stop coaching this team either… It’s an unbelievable experience every day,” Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said.
The Thunder immediately buried the Timberwolves in the opening quarter behind the stifling defense and playmaking by Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams and Holmgren for a 26-9 lead.
It didn’t get much better in the second quarter onwards as Oklahoma City stretched its lead to 65-32 at the half and later to 88-62 after the first 36 minutes of action before the bench players entered in the fourth frame.
“We’ve had a young team the last couple years, and the positivity in the community, the support, the encouragement through the ups and downs, really puts the wind in our back,” Daigneault said.
“These are players that are still trying to find their footing in professional basketball and to exist in a place, both in the arena and in the community, where everybody has your back through the ups and downs, is helpful. It’s helped our players grow. I really believe that,” he added.
Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with 24 points, Anthony Edwards scored 19 markers, while Naz Reid and rookie Terrence Shannon Jr. contributed 11 markers apiece in the loss.
Oklahoma City will host Game 1 of the Finals against either the Indiana Pacers or the New York Knicks on June 5 (June 6 in the Philippines)./PN
BOX SCORE:
OKLAHOMA CITY 124 — Gilgeous-Alexander 34, Holmgren 22, Jal. Williams 19, Dort 12, Joe 11, Hartenstein 8, Caruso 8, Wallace 5, Dieng 3, Mitchell 2, Wiggins 0, K. Williams 0, Jay. Williams 0.
MINNESOTA 94 — Randle 24, Edwards 19, Reid 11, Shannon 11, Dillingham 7, DiVincenzo 6, McDaniels 5, Garza 4, Minott 3, Gobert 2, Clark 2, Conley 0, Alexander-Walker 0.
Quarterscores: 26-9; 65-32; 88-62; 124-94.
