In Game 5 on Wednesday evening, the Oklahoma City Thunder punched their ticket to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012, crushing the Minnesota Timberwolves by double digits to win the series, 4-1.
Oklahoma City got going early and didn't let up, cruising to a 65-32 first half that was spurred largely by its all-time defense. From there, it would keep the Timberwolves at bay for 24 more minutes to cement its Finals trip.
Oklahoma City now looks to its first Finals since 2012, when players like Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden donned blue. They'll face the winner of Indiana and New York, with the Pacers leading their series 3-1.
Here's how X, formerly known as Twitter, reacted to Game 5 and OKC's subsequent making of the NBA Finals:
Our 5️⃣ for Game 5️⃣⚡️ pic.twitter.com/g7hWFZlOxh
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 29, 2025
the five for game five. pic.twitter.com/sapxaUznN2
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) May 29, 2025
MY THUNDER IS ALL THE WAY UP https://t.co/O1R183hGQ6
— Derek Hatridge (@DerekHatco10) May 29, 2025
OKC's defense allowed the offense to settle into this game and now the Thunder are on a 9-3 run to open the contest.
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 29, 2025
T-Wolves timeout,
— Derek Parker (@DParkOK) May 29, 2025
Thunder up, 11-3, cruising here in the first frame.
Shai’s scored or assisted on all 11 points
— TF (@ThunderFocus) May 29, 2025
Chet leads these playoffs in dunks (32). Dude is just punching everything around the rim right now. Crazy aggressive.
— Carson Breber (@Carsobi) May 29, 2025
THE CARUSHOW IS HERE
— Zack Low (@ZacharyLowNBA) May 29, 2025
He's been really good in these playoffs, but Jaden McDaniels has single-handedly sabotaged Minnesota's offense to start tonight. He is a QUICK 0-6. Either forcing it at Chet and being affected by his length or missing wide open corner threes as he roams off of him.
— Carson Breber (@Carsobi) May 29, 2025
Wolves rattled
— The Daniel Bell© (@BasketballGuruD) May 29, 2025
Chris Finch needs to call another timeout here, in my opinion. Just such sloppy play and dejection with each passing turnover. Timberwolves have to regroup.
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 29, 2025
Loud City is such a huge playoff advantage.
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 29, 2025
Thunder fans are absolutely bringing it tonight.
Wolves body language is a whole lot of “yeah they know they’re done”
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 29, 2025
Whew Thunder hitting the nos early
— The Daniel Bell© (@BasketballGuruD) May 29, 2025
3 fouls called in 11 seconds after Finch's technical
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) May 29, 2025
Cason Wallace nails a corner 3 to put OKC up 26-9 after 1 pic.twitter.com/PJ73sMTejz
— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) May 29, 2025
Held them to single digit points, up 17, Shai is dominating
— (@Three_Cone) May 29, 2025
Don’t let up.
Wolves first quarter
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 29, 2025
Turnovers: 4
Makes: 3
It’s over.
Playoff Caruso
— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) May 29, 2025
JALEN WILLIAMS
— Thunder Lead (@ThunderLead) May 29, 2025
RISING TO THE MOMENT pic.twitter.com/aSRebQozwy
The connectivity and collective feel of this OKC defense is all time great.
— Keandre Ashley (@HoopIntelllect) May 29, 2025
They are making the other conference finalist look completely hopeless on every possession.
The halftime show should be Caruso’s jersey being retired https://t.co/xetyvEWnBQ
— Dylan Goforth (@DGoforth918) May 29, 2025
It’s really hard to argue against SGA being the best basketball player in the world right now
— Dre (@WaveyForever) May 29, 2025
OKC running a box-and-one defense where Caruso is the box.
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 29, 2025
What an outstanding bounce back series from Jalen Williams
— TF (@ThunderFocus) May 29, 2025
Absolutely dominating on both ends
Nine years to the day
— Kegan Reneau (@KeganReneau) May 29, 2025
The curse of Klay has been lifted
LUUUUUUU
— (@Three_Cone) May 29, 2025
OKC is getting better as these playoffs go
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) May 29, 2025
And that’s a scary thought
12
— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) May 29, 2025
More
Minutes.......
Thunder up 88-62.
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 29, 2025
12 minutes to go to the NBA Finals.
SGA-Wallace-JDub-Caruso-Chet to start the 4th for OKC. Trying to put this thing completely out of reach.
— Joel Lorenzi (@JoelXLorenzi) May 29, 2025
One quarter away from the NBA Finals. What a sentence.
— THE UNCONTESTED PODCAST (@The_Uncontested) May 29, 2025
Homie looks a little lonely up there… not for long pic.twitter.com/WkU7P1Zv9d
— Ryan Chapman (@_RyanChapman) May 29, 2025
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!