Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put on a show with 34 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 124-94 victory, clinching the Western Conference finals series 4-1 to secure a spot in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012. The young star's stellar performance earned him the MVP of the Western Conference finals, setting the stage for a potential historic achievement of winning both league MVP and an NBA title in the same season. With Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams contributing effectively, the Thunder made history with their fourth win by 30 or more points in a single postseason.
Amidst a remarkable postseason run, Oklahoma City's fan base, which had weathered the departure of Kevin Durant and a challenging rebuild, erupted in celebration as the team cruised to victory, showcasing their potential to compete for the championship. As they await their Finals opponent between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks, the Thunder will have the advantage of home-court advantage with their outstanding regular-season record. With a title drought since the franchise's move to Oklahoma City in 2008-09, this resilient Thunder team is poised to make a statement and add another chapter to their storied history in the upcoming NBA Finals.