, the 2024-25 NBA playoffs continued to stage a focus battle. In the Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder relied on the efficient performance of the entire team to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-94 and advance to the finals with a total score of 4-1. This also marks that the Thunder has entered the NBA Finals again after 13 years since 2012!

Before the game started, the Thunder had a 3-1 lead, and this victory not only ended the series, but also announced that the young Thunder team officially stood on the big stage of the finals. They will face the winner between the Knicks and the Pacers in the Eastern Conference in the finals. The Pacers are currently leading 3-2.

This season's NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous - Alexander once again showed his leadership style, scoring 34 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds , and undisputedly became the team's number one contributor to the victory. "This is just a step in the right direction. We know we still have a lot of work to do." Alexander said after the game that he always regards the championship as the ultimate goal, "We know that what we have done now is far from enough."

It is worth mentioning that if Alexander can lead the team to win the championship, he will become the first player since Shaquille O'Neal in 2000 to win both the scoring title and the championship in a single season. The Thunder's rise this season is not only surprising, but also creates history. With an average age of 25.6 years old , they have become the youngest team to advance to the NBA Finals since the Portland Trail Blazers in 1977 .

In this game, the Thunder opened fire from the beginning and scored an overwhelming score of 26 to 9 in the first quarter. This is also the lowest score in a single quarter in all games of the Timberwolves this season.

Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley started the game but failed to score. After the game, he said: "They hit us right away." At the end of the first half, the Thunder had opened the score to 65-32 , completely crushing the morale of the Timberwolves. Although the Timberwolves tried to warm up in the third quarter, it was too late and they could only accept the fate of a 30-point defeat.

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said frankly : "We were defeated by a stronger opponent. This is a defeat that we must accept." With the Thunder advancing first, the curtain of the NBA Finals is about to open. Can the young Thunder win the second championship in team history in one go? Or will the Eastern Conference team end their dark horse journey? Let's wait and see.