The Oklahoma City Thunder are headed to their first NBA Finals since 2012 after manhandling the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. The Thunder, who are now four wins away from their first title since moving out of Seattle, have shown incredible resilience and determination in their path to the finals. This victory marks the first time the Thunder are in the NBA Finals since 2012 – a time when the big three of a young Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden lost to the superteam that was the Miami Heat, led by LeBron James.
Times got dark in recent years, though – Durant left after the 2015-16 season following the Thunder blowing a 3-1 lead to the 73-9 Golden State Warriors in that season’s conference finals. After the Warriors returned the favor to James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Durant headed west to the Bay Area and won two titles.
While that happened, it prompted a rebuild that took the team near the bottom of the league’s standings just four years ago. However, the Thunder have since made significant strides, with MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way with 34 points, while Chet Holmgren added 22. Jalen Williams added 19 points and eight rebounds for the Thunder.
Oklahoma City will play the Indiana Pacers or New York Knicks in the finals, with Indiana leading the Eastern Conference finals series 3-1. Oklahoma City will have homecourt advantage when the Finals begin on June 5 because of its league-best 68-14 regular-season record.
The Thunder’s victory in Game 5 was a dominant display, with the team opening the game on an 11-3 run and extending the advantage throughout the first quarter. Cason Wallace drained a 3-pointer as the first quarter expired to put the Thunder up 26-9 at the end of the period. Oklahoma City led 65-32 at halftime and 88-62 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Thunder moved from Seattle in the 2000s, and won the 1979 NBA title. However, the team’s recent success in the conference finals highlights their potential to finally secure an NBA title after moving to Oklahoma City in the 2000s.