OKC Thunder Are Back in the NBA Finals After 12 Years
So here’s what happened — the Oklahoma City Thunder just made it to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012. They wrapped it up on May 28 by beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 124–94 in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. That win gave them the series 4–1. And honestly, it didn’t even feel that close. OKC looked sharp from the beginning. You could tell they wanted it more. They came in focused, played smart basketball, and left no doubt about who deserved to move on.
This is a big moment for the team and its fans. Just a few years ago, people were saying the Thunder were rebuilding — now they’re championship contenders again. It’s the kind of turnaround that doesn’t happen often, and they’ve done it with mostly young players who are learning fast and playing hard.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Is Leading This Team Like a Star
The heart of this Thunder run? That’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He was just named the 2025 NBA MVP, and he’s been playing like it too. In Game 5, he put up 34 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds. And across the whole series, he averaged more than 31 points a game. He’s not just scoring either — he’s controlling the pace, getting teammates involved, and stepping up when it matters. That’s why he was also named the Western Conference Finals MVP.
But it’s not all on Shai. Jalen Williams chipped in with 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists — just solid all around. Chet Holmgren, still early in his career, added 22 points and 7 rebounds. You can feel the chemistry building in this group. They play for each other, and that’s probably what makes them so dangerous. Everyone’s doing their job, and no one’s trying to be the hero.
Finals Start June 5 — And This Team’s Not Done Yet
Next up? The NBA Finals. OKC will take on either the Indiana Pacers or New York Knicks — whoever wins the East. Game 1 is on June 5, and since the Thunder had the best regular-season record in the league (68–14), they’ll have home-court advantage. That could matter a lot if the series goes deep.
Also worth keeping an eye on is Nikola Topić. The Thunder drafted him 12th overall last year, but he hasn’t played yet because of an ACL injury. Still, he’s expected to join the team next season and could be a major boost. He’s a tall point guard with great vision and skill, and adding him to this already impressive squad could take things up another level.
The truth is, this OKC team is ahead of schedule. They were supposed to be building for the future — but the future might already be here. And now they’ve got a real shot at winning it all.
