OKC Thunder Make NBA Finals for First Time Since 2012 After Dominant Win Over Timberwolves
The Oklahoma City Thunder are heading back to the NBA Finals for the first time in over a decade. In a stunning performance, the young and energetic Thunder team blew out the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals, punching their ticket to the championship round with a commanding 124-98 victory.
Led by All-Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who posted 32 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds, the Thunder overwhelmed Minnesota with a relentless pace, stifling defense, and sharpshooting from deep. Chet Holmgren anchored the paint with 5 blocks and 11 rebounds, while Jalen Williams added 22 points in a well-rounded team effort.
OKC’s swarming defense held Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards to just 18 points on 6-of-21 shooting, disrupting Minnesota’s rhythm from the opening tip. The Thunder raced to a double-digit lead in the first quarter and never looked back, leading by as many as 30 in the second half.
This victory marks a major milestone for the Thunder’s rebuild, which began after trading away Russell Westbrook and Paul George in 2019. With the youngest roster in the NBA and a treasure trove of draft picks, few expected OKC to reach the Finals this quickly.
Head coach Mark Daigneault praised his team’s maturity and resilience: “These guys have grown up fast. They’re hungry, fearless, and play the right way. I couldn’t be prouder.”
The Thunder will now await the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals as they prepare for their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012, when a team led by Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden fell to the Miami Heat.
This time, a new generation of Thunder stars looks ready to finish the job.
