OKC's defense deserves 'credit' for Game 4 win
Oilers Must Be 'An Awful Lot More Mature' After A Penalty-Filled Collapse Vs. Stars
All looked well for the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of the Western Conference final against the Dallas Stars until they got in penalty trouble.
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Miami Herald
23 minutes ago
- Miami Herald
Thunder thrash Wolves in Game 5, storm into NBA Finals
Even before the basket went in, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander spread his arms wide to his side in celebration. Cason Wallace left his right arm high in the air, just waiting for the ball to drop through the basket. Soon enough, inevitably, it did. Wallace's corner 3-pointer at the buzzer was the exclamation point on a dominant first quarter for Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder, who rode the hot start to a 124-94 home win that ended the Western Conference finals in Game 5 on Wednesday. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 34 points, eight assists and seven rebounds as the Thunder closed out the best-of-seven series. "I didn't want to go back to Minnesota travel-wise and I wanted the fans to enjoy the moment with us," Gilgeous-Alexander said. The Thunder are headed to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012 and the fifth time in franchise history. The first three appearances came when the club was based in Seattle. Oklahoma City will host Game 1 of the Finals against either the Indiana Pacers or the New York Knicks on June 5. "Happy for this moment, but this isn't our goal," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "This isn't the end of our road." The Wednesday outcome was evident early, as the Thunder buried the Timberwolves under the weight of a stifling defense and playmaking by Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. Oklahoma City put the game away quickly, leading by 17 after the first quarter and 33 at halftime. The Timberwolves saw their season end in the Western Conference finals for the second consecutive year. "I'm going to work my butt off this summer," Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards said. "Nobody's going to work harder than me this summer, I'll tell you that much." Gilgeous-Alexander dished out five of his assists in the opening quarter as he again showed why he was selected the NBA's Most Valuable Player. After the Timberwolves scored the game's first hoop, Gilgeous-Alexander had a hand in all five Oklahoma City baskets during an 11-0 run that started the Thunder's march toward the blowout. In that stretch, Gilgeous-Alexander had four assists -- three on Holmgren buckets -- and drained a finger roll to start the separation. On Monday, the Timberwolves started Game 4 red hot from the field but ultimately fell 128-126. On Wednesday, Minnesota struggled on offense from the start, going just 1-for-11 from the field over the first five minutes. Gilgeous-Alexander outscored Minnesota in the first quarter 12-9 and scored or assisted on 24 of the Thunder's 26 first-quarter points. Minnesota had more turnovers in the first half (14) than it did field goals (12). The Timberwolves finished with 21 turnovers. Holmgren amassed 22 points and seven rebounds while Williams had 19 points, eight rebounds and five assists. "These guys really make me feel like I'm a kid playing AAU basketball, like I'm 15 years old again," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "It's just fun. That's what makes us really good. We have so much fun being out there together." Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with 24 points while Edwards scored 19 on 7-of-18 shooting. "They dominated the game from the tip," Edwards said. "Can't do nothing but tip my hat to those guys. They came ready." --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2023 - All Rights Reserved
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Why NBA Finals trip is bittersweet for Thunder's Mark Daigneault
The post Why NBA Finals trip is bittersweet for Thunder's Mark Daigneault appeared first on ClutchPoints. The NBA Finals now have their first finalist. Head coach Mark Daigneault and the Oklahoma City Thunder captured the Western Conference crown with a resounding 124-94 rout of the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5. Advertisement But to truly understand the Thunder's dominance, you have to look at how completely the Timberwolves unraveled. In the series finale, Minnesota collapsed into disarray, unable to match Oklahoma City's relentless intensity. With the Wolves' season hanging in the balance, the Thunder came out with a sharp, almost cruel sense of purpose. They didn't just win—they stripped Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, and the rest of the squad of their fight. What should have been a celebratory night for OKC carried an unexpected sting of sympathy for a Minnesota team left in ruins. 'We had it all going. The focus through the distraction of a closeout game to go to the Finals is what was most impressive. We were laser focused,' said the Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault. 'That allowed our best to come to the surface.' Right from the opening tip, Daigneault's team seized command. After Minnesota struck first, Canadian MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander answered with a scorching stretch on offense, playing a role in each of the Thunder's first five scores during a momentum-shifting 11-0 run that immediately silenced the Timberwolves' early spark. 'This is such a fun team. We're happy we're going to the Finals, but I don't want it to end. I don't want to stop coaching this team.' Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Thunder to the Finals Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Gilgeous-Alexander delivered 34 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds in just 34 minutes, capping off his dominant series with the Western Conference Finals MVP award. Advertisement The Timberwolves unraveled. Edwards, swarmed by Oklahoma City's versatile perimeter defenders, faded into the background during the early surge. Randle, rattled by the Thunder's relentless pressure throughout the series, spent much of Game 5 in a daze, often glancing around in frustration after coughing up yet another turnover. Minnesota's defense was practically nonexistent. Gilgeous-Alexander moved freely, blowing past Jaden McDaniels on the wing and picking apart Rudy Gobert in the paint. Jalen Williams (19 points, eight boards, five dimes) and Chet Holmgren (22 points, seven rebounds) coasted through the game with ease, as the Timberwolves showed little fight or willingness to make the gritty, high-effort plays that playoff basketball demands. Randle paced Minnesota with 24 points, while Edwards chipped in 19, but his shooting woes continued as he went just 7-of-18 from the field. This marks the Timberwolves' second consecutive elimination in the Western Conference Finals. After clinching the series 4-1, Daigneault and the Thunder now await the victor of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks. Game 1 of the NBA Finals is set for June 5 in Oklahoma City, where the Thunder will hold home-court advantage. The Thunder's revival, fueled by a talented young roster and MVP Gilgeous-Alexander, signals the start of a new chapter for a franchise determined to pursue an NBA championship once again.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Chicago Sky Coach Makes Paige Bueckers Statement After Wings Game
Chicago Sky Coach Makes Paige Bueckers Statement After Wings Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Sky took down the Dallas Wings on Thursday evening to earn their first victory of the 2025 WNBA season. The Sky now sit at 1-4, a game removed from last place in the Eastern Conference Standings. The Wings are now 1-5, which makes them last place in the West. Advertisement While young Sky forward Angel Reese and Wings guard Paige Bueckers dominated most of the headlines going into the contest, it was actually Kamilla Cardoso and Arike Ogunbowale who stole the show. Cardoso pitched in a career-high 23 points for Chicago in the win, and Ogunbowale tallied 37 points in the loss for Dallas. Chicago Sky guard Kia Nurse (11) and Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5).Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images Reese had a well-rounded game in the victory, contributing six points, nine rebounds and five assists. Bueckers scored 15 points, dished out eight assists and grabbed five rebounds during Thursday's loss. After the win, new Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Marsh spoke to the media about Dallas' talented roster. He even made a strong statement about Bueckers, Ogunbowale and the rest of the Wings' backcourt. Advertisement 'I think that they are an incredibly talented back court,' Marsh said. 'A lot of talk goes to Paige (Bueckers) and Arike (Ogunbowale), and rightfully so, but DiJonai (Carrington) is pretty good herself as well. … I have no doubts that they'll be fine as the season progresses.' Neither the Sky or Wings have much time to reevaluate, as the two teams will face off once again on Saturday. This time, Chicago will travel down to Dallas to play at the College Park Center for an 8:00 p.m. EST tip off. Chicago will look to string two wins together for the first time in the 2025 WNBA season, and Dallas will attempt to crawl their way out of the bottom of the Western Conference standings ahead of the Commissioner's Cup in June. Advertisement Related: Chicago Sky Coach Facing Decision After Player's Strong Message Related: Kamilla Cardoso Sends Message After Chicago Sky Teammate's Historic News This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
