Game Recap: Thunder 124, Timberwolves 94
The Oklahoma City Thunder are returning to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012, capping off what has been a dominant playoff run overall. The Thunder flexed their might in the Western Conference Finals, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves, 124-94, in Game 5 to clinch that series.
Here’s a closer look at some of the key stats and figures from OKC’s return to the NBA Finals.
1. Gilgeous-Alexander’s playoff scoring surge
Kia MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the NBA in scoring in the regular season (32.7 points per game) and ranks No. 2 in the 2025 playoff scoring leaders among active players (29.9 ppg). However, being an MVP is about more than scoring and Gilgeous-Alexander has proven to be a solid playmaker all season (6.4 assists per game) and in the playoffs (6.9 apg).
In the 2025 playoffs, Gilgeous-Alexander has already amassed 10 games with 30 or more points and five or more assists. He needs two more such games to have the most 30-point, five-assist games in NBA history since 1963.
> Most 30-point, 5-assists games in single playoffs since 1963 Player (Team) Playoffs Number of games Michael Jordan (Bulls) 1988-89 11 Michael Jordan (Bulls) 1989-90 11 LeBron James (Cavs) 2014-15 11 LeBron James (Cavs) 2016-17 11 LeBron James (Cavs) 2017-18 11 Michael Jordan (Bulls) 1991-92 10 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder) 2024-25 10
2. Losing by 40 … and still winning series
It may seem like a distant memory to Thunder fans, but OKC was demolished in Game 3 of the West Finals, losing to Minnesota 143-101 on May 24. Dropping a game by that many points in a series rarely results in the losing team winning the series. But OKC became one of three teams in NBA history to lose a game in a series by 40 or more points and win the series.
> Teams to lose playoff game in a series by 40+ points and still win series Date Game Points differential Series result May 25, 2025 Thunder vs. Wolves Wolves won by 42 Thunder won series, 4-1 May 9, 1982 76ers vs. Celtics Celtics won by 40 76ers won series, 4-3 March 19, 1956 Hawks vs. Lakers Lakers won by 58 Hawks won series, 2-1
3. Most 30-point wins in playoff run
Blowout wins in the playoffs became commonplace for OKC in 2025. The Thunder have already established the mark for most wins by 30 or more points in the postseason. Of the four teams on this list, two of them went on to win the title (but the Thunder could make that three of four in a few weeks).
> Most wins in one postseason by 30+ points in NBA history Team Playoffs Number of wins by 30+ points Oklahoma City Thunder 2025 4 Cleveland Cavaliers * 2016 3 Utah Jazz 1996 3 Los Angeles Lakers * 1987 3 * = won NBA championship
4. Dominating in a Conference Finals clincher
The Thunder made quick work of the Timberwolves in Game 5, building a 26-9 lead after the first quarter and taking that lead to 39 points at one point. Overall, OKC’s margin of victory was one of the largest in a conference finals clincher in NBA history.
> Largest margin of victory, series-clinching game in conference finals (since 1970-71) Date Result Margin of victory May 22, 1985 Lakers 153, Nuggets 109 Lakers by 44 points May 25, 2017 Cavs 135, Celtics 102 Cavs by 33 points May 25, 1987 Lakers 133, Sonics 102 Lakers by 31 points May 28, 2025 Thunder 124, Wolves 94 Thunder by 30 points May 26, 2015 Cavs 118, Hawks 88 Cavs by 30 points
5. Youth served in playoff run for OKC
Before the 2024-25 season began, OKC ranked No. 1 in average age (24.148 years old) among all NBA teams. Now that OKC is headed to its second NBA Finals in franchise history, it is one of the youngest teams in NBA history to rise to the championship stage in such short order.
> Youngest average age of teams to reach NBA Finals Season Team Average age
(as of Game 1 of Finals) 1976-77 Philadelphia 76ers 25.12 1950-51 New York Knicks 25.13 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers * 25.31 2024-25 Oklahoma City Thunder 25.33 1955-56 Philadelphia Warriors * 25.74 * = won NBA championship
