The Oklahoma City Thunder were the best team all year, and on Wednesday night, they showed the world why with a decisive 124-94 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, clinching the series 4-1. With the dominant victory, OKC will be in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012, when future Hall of Famers Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden were part of the franchise. They’re also the youngest NBA Finals team since the 1977 Portland Trail Blazers.

From the first few minutes of the opening quarter, the writing was on the wall, and the rout was already in motion. Deploying a swarming defense, the Thunder forced 21 and held the Timberwolves to 41.2% shooting from the field. At halftime in Game 5, the Timberwolves had more turnovers (14) than made field goals (12). At one point, OKC led by as much as 37 points.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, continuing his unprecedented MVP year, finished the game with 34 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, and two steals. Adding to his trophy case, he was unanimously voted the Western Conference Finals MVP, becoming the first MVP to reach the Finals since Stephen Curry achieved the feat in 2016.

Also, for the Thunder, Chet Holmgren scored 22 points, seven rebounds, three blocks, and Jalen Williams added 19 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.

After presenting the Oscar Robertson trophy to the Western Conference Champions, SGA spoke about the significance of the moment and the journey it took to get there.

"I wanted the fans to be able to enjoy the moment with us," said Gilgeous-Alexander."I wanted them to be able to see it all with their own eyes. I wanted them to celebrate tonight in our building, go home, get drunk, whatever they do. I just wanted to make sure that above all, I can give my energy and my effort to try to get these fans what they deserve."

"Obviously happy for the moment, but this isn't our goal," Gilgeous-Alexander continued. "This isn't the end of the road. There was no special conversation. It was just, let's keep getting better. One more series to go.

"We are a step closer to our goal, and we're happy about that. But there are still four more games to go win, four really hard games to go win,” he added. “We need to be the best version of ourselves for four nights to reach the ultimate goal.”

Sitting just four wins away from their first since 1979 (When the franchise was the Seattle Supersonics), OKC awaits the winner of the Indiana Pacers/New York Knicks series.