Lakers Legend Sends Message to OKC Thunder After Reaching NBA Finals

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Nathaniel Holloway | Last updated May 29, 2025 12:58 AM ET

Half of the NBA Finals are now set after the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 on Wednesday night to clinch their spot.

Oklahoma City dominated their way past Minnesota on Wednesday night as they grabbed a dominant 124-94 victory to clinch their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way for the Thunder once again on Wednesday night as he finished the game with 34 points, seven rebounds and eight assists.

Chet Holmgren also had an outstanding performance with 22 points and seven rebounds while Jalen Williams added 19 points, eight rebounds and five assists of his own in the victory.

After the game, Shai was named the 2025 Western Conference Finals MVP award winner and was given the Magic Johnson Trophy, adding to his hardware from this season after already being named regular season MVP.

Johnson took to social media after Oklahoma City’s victory in Game 5 to send his congratulations to the franchise and Shai.

“I want to congratulate the Oklahoma City Thunder Coach Mark Daigneault as well as NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the OKC team on advancing to the NBA Finals,” Johnson posted on X after Oklahoma City’s victory in Game 5 on Wednesday night.

I want to congratulate the Oklahoma City Thunder Coach Mark Daigneault as well as NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the OKC team on advancing to the NBA Finals!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 29, 2025

This was a great response by Johnson who previously noted that he did not believe that the Thunder were not ready due to their age to compete for a championship.

I want to apologize to the Oklahoma City Thunder for underestimating them and not thinking they were ready to compete for a Championship.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 29, 2025

Of course, the Thunder were able to prove Johnson and most of the NBA wrong as they continued their dominant season by making it to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012.

Oklahoma City now awaits the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks as the Pacers currently hold a 3-1 series lead.

Either way, the Thunder will host Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 5 on ESPN as they try to win their first championship since moving to Oklahoma City.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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