On Wednesday evening, the Thunder were home for Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals vs. the Timberwolves. OKC was one win away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012.
By halftime, the Thunder were up 65-32, and Minnesota never stood a chance. Unsurprisingly, OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named the Western Conference Finals MVP. He is one of four players in the last 20 years to win regular-season MVP and make the NBA Finals in the same season. Joining Michael Jordan. SGA joins Kobe Bryant, LeBron James (2x), and Michael Jordan (2x). Elite company for the 26-year-old to be in.
SGA continues to add to his historic 2024-25 season
Players to win MVP and reach the NBA Finals, last 20 years:
— Kobe Bryant — LeBron James (2x) — Stephen Curry (2x)
And now, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. pic.twitter.com/40x1pMkawf
— WarriorsMuse (@WarriorsMuse) May 29, 2025
The Oklahoma City Thunder are one step closer to achieving their ultimate team goal of winning the NBA Finals. With a 124-94 win on Wednesday, OKC beat the Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals, 4-1. Once again, it was a dominant performance from Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He finished Game 5 with 34 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, and two steals. By securing a berth in the NBA Finals, SGA helped etch his name in the history books.
He is the fourth player in the last 20 years to win regular-season MVP and make the NBA Finals in the same season. Gilgeous-Alexander joins Kobe Bryant, LeBron James (2x), and Michael Jordan (2x). With his historic 2024-25 season, SGA is making his case to become the face of the NBA. In just this season, he was the MVP, first-team All-NBA, WCF MVP, an all-star, and had the scoring title.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wants to cap this season by hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy. OKC awaits the winner of the Eastern Conference. Indiana has a 3-1 lead on the Knicks. Game 5 is in New York on Thursday night. The Knicks have their backs against the wall down 3-1 to the Pacers. Barring a major collapse by Indiana, they’ll likely face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2025 NBA Finals.
