Dillon Jones pounded the rock as the final seconds ticked away.
The sound of the basketball bouncing on the Paycom Center floor mimicked that of a heartbeat. It was fitting for a Thunder team that has breathed life into its city.
OKC advanced to the NBA Finals with a 124-94 home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. It’s the first time the Thunder has reached the championship stage since 2012.
Thirteen years. OKC saw the end of the Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant era during that time. It also saw the start of a new one in 2019 with the arrival of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. And it saw the growing pains of the young Thunder, which briefly spent time near the bottom of the league standings.
Those days are long gone. OKC is now just four wins away from its first championship in franchise history after a Game 5 demolition of Minnesota.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 34 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, and he earned Western Conference finals MVP honors. Chet Holmgren added 22 points and seven rebounds, and Jalen Williams poured in 19 points and eight boards.
Here are four more takeaways from the game:
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Minnesota couldn’t match Chet Holmgren, OKC’s stride early on
Holmgren’s right foot was behind the 3-point line when he caught a pass from Gilgeous-Alexander early in the first quarter.
Most players would need a dribble or two on their way to the rim, but Holmgren isn’t like most players. The ball never touched the floor, as the long-legged big man took two steps before he elevated for a dunk.
Holmgren wasn’t the only OKC player who covered a lot of ground in the opening quarter.
The Thunder quickly separated itself from the Timberwolves by jumping out to an 11-3 lead in the first five minutes. Seven of those points came from Holmgren.
OKC held a commanding 26-9 lead by the end of the quarter. It left Minnesota in the rearview mirror and never looked back.
Alex Caruso, OKC’s defense stole the show
When Alex Caruso is on the floor, basketballs shouldn’t be left unattended.
Donte DiVincenzo learned that the hard way late in the second quarter. After gathering a defensive rebound, the Minnesota guard lobbed a pass that stayed in the air for far too long.
It called to Caruso, who jumped at the opportunity. Literally.
Anthony Edwards tried to grab the ball, but Caruso beat him to it. The head-banded bandit soared through the air and secured the steal.
Caruso finished with four steals, but that wasn’t all he snatched. He repeatedly ripped away any shred of momentum that Minnesota mustered up with his demoralizing defensive plays.
Caruso set the tone for the Thunder on that end of the floor. Minnesota only scored 94 points on 41.2% shooting from the field, and it committed 21 turnovers.
OKC attacked the rim relentlessly
When asked before the series about facing his cousin, Minnesota’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Gilgeous-Alexander reminisced.
He called Alexander-Walker his “second brother,” and he said they’ve supported each other through every stage of their careers. Touching. But then Gilgeous-Alexander said one last thing.
“I am trying to take his head off, for sure,” Gilgeous-Alexander said with a smile.
Gilgeous-Alexander came close to that during the third quarter. After stealing the ball, the league’s Most Valuable Player saw a path to the rim.
All that stood in his way was Alexander-Walker. And, without any hesitation, Gilgeous-Alexander lowered his shoulder to move his cousin out of the way before he sank a layup.
Gilgeous-Alexander set the tone offensively for OKC, which was relentless in its attack of the rim all night. It scored 54 points in the paint.
OKC is ready for its final test
OKC has passed every test so far.
It dusted Ja Morant and the fast-paced Memphis Grizzlies in four games. It aged right before everyone’s eyes against the veteran Denver Nuggets in seven games. And it tamed the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games.
Now, the Thunder is ready for its final test.
OKC will face either Indiana or New York with a championship on the line. Game 1 is set for 7:30 p.m. CT Thursday, June 5, in Oklahoma City.
Justin Martinez covers sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @JTheSportsDude. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.