Thunder storm past Timberwolves in WCF, punch ticket to NBA Finals
The Oklahoma City Thunder looked as dominant as ever after closing out the Timberwolves 4-1 in the Western Conference Finals, trip to NBA Finals awaits.
Sports Pulse
The Oklahoma City Thunder have reached the NBA Finals after closing out the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.
The Thunder had a strong defensive performance in the first quarter, limiting Minnesota to just nine points.
League MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31.4 points per game and was named the Western Conference finals’ Most Valuable Player.
The Thunder await the winner of the Eastern Conference finals between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks.
The Pacers have a 3-1 series lead after a 130-121 victory over the Knicks in Game 4 at home on Tuesday. Tyrese Haliburton produced a triple-double with 32 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds in Indiana’s victory.
NBA bracket: Playoff schedule, scores and results
The conference finals are set and could run through June 2.
All times Eastern. *-if necessary
Conference finalsEastern Conference
Pacers lead series 3-1
Game 1, May 21: Pacers 138, Knicks 135 (OT)Game 2, May 23: Pacers 114, Knicks 109Game 3, May 25: Knicks 106, Pacers 100Game 4, May 27: Pacers 130, Knicks 121Game 5, May 29: Pacers at Knicks | TNT, 8 p.m.Game 6, May 31: Knicks at Pacers | TNT, 8 p.m.*Game 7, June 2: Pacers at Knicks | TNT, 8 p.m.*Western Conference
Thunder win series 4-1
Game 1, May 20: Thunder 114, Timberwolves 88Game 2, May 22: Thunder 118, Timberwolves 103Game 3, May 24: Timberwolves 143, Thunder 101Game 4, May 26: Thunder 128, Timberwolves 126Game 5, May 28: Thunder 124, Timberwolves 942025 NBA Finals schedule
*-if necessary
Game 1, June 5: TBD at Thunder, ABCGame 2, June 8: TBD at Thunder, ABCGame 3, June 11: Thunder at TBD, ABCGame 4, June 13: Thunder at TBD, ABCGame 5, June 16: TBD at Thunder, ABC*Game 6, June 19: Thunder at TBD, ABC*Game 7, June 22: TBD at Thunder, ABC*NBA playoff results: Second roundEastern Conference
(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (4) Indiana Pacers
Pacers win series 4-1
(2) Boston Celtics vs. (3) New York Knicks
Knicks win series 4-2
Western Conference
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (4) Denver Nuggets
Thunder win series 4-3
(6) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (7) Golden State Warriors
Timberwolves win series 4-1
NBA playoff results: First roundEastern Conference
(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) Miami Heat
Cavaliers win series 4-0
(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Orlando Magic
Celtics win series 4-1
(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Detroit Pistons
Knicks win series 4-2
(4) Indiana Pacers vs. (5) Milwaukee Bucks
Pacers win series 4-1
Western Conference
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Memphis Grizzlies
Thunder win series 4-0
(2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Golden State Warriors
Warriors win series 4-3
(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
Timberwolves win series 4-1
(4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) Los Angeles Clippers
Nuggets win series 4-3
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