Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 factors because the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder rolled to a 124-94 residence win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, ending off the Western Convention finals in Recreation 5.
Gilgeous-Alexander added eight assists and 7 rebounds as Oklahoma Metropolis closed out the best-of-seven collection.
The Thunder are headed to the NBA Finals for the primary time since 2012 and the fifth time in franchise historical past. The primary three appearances got here when the membership was based mostly in Seattle.
Oklahoma Metropolis will host Recreation 1 of the Finals towards both the Indiana Pacers or the New York Knicks on June 5.
The Wednesday consequence was evident early, because the Thunder buried the Timberwolves beneath the burden of a stifling protection and playmaking by Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren.
Oklahoma Metropolis put the sport away rapidly, main by 17 after the primary quarter and 33 at halftime .
The Timberwolves noticed their season finish within the Western Convention finals for the second consecutive 12 months.
Gilgeous-Alexander dished out 5 of his assists within the opening quarter as he once more confirmed why he was chosen the NBA’s Most Beneficial Participant.
After the Timberwolves scored the sport’s first hoop, Gilgeous-Alexander had a hand in all 5 Oklahoma Metropolis baskets throughout an 11-0 run that began the Thunder’s march towards the blowout.
In that stretch, Gilgeous-Alexander had 4 assists — three on Holmgren buckets — and drained a finger roll to start out the separation.
On Monday, the Timberwolves began Recreation 4 red-hot from the sector however in the end fell 128-126.
On Wednesday, Minnesota struggled on offense from the beginning, going simply 1-for-11 from the sector over the primary 5 minutes.
Gilgeous-Alexander outscored Minnesota within the first quarter 12-9.
The Thunder completed the primary quarter on a 13-2 run, highlighted by one other Gilgeous-Alexander help — this one discovering Cason Wallace for a nook 3-pointer on the buzzer to place the exclamation level on a dominant first quarter. The rating was 26-9.
It did not get a lot better within the second as Oklahoma Metropolis stretched its lead.
Minnesota had extra turnovers within the first half (14) than it did subject targets (12). The Timberwolves completed with 21 turnovers.
Holmgren amassed 22 factors and 7 rebounds whereas Williams had 19 factors, eight rebounds and 5 assists.
Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with 24 factors whereas Anthony Edwards scored 19 on 7-of-18 capturing.
–Subject Stage Media/Reuters
