Oklahoma City Thunder Surges to the Top of the Western Conference
Just three years after enduring one of the most dismal seasons in Western Conference history, the Oklahoma City Thunder have remarkably ascended to the top spot in the West. Their recent victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, with a commanding score of 124-94, secured their spot in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012, advancing in just five games during the conference finals.
Path to the NBA Finals and Upcoming Matchups
The Thunder are now set to face either the Indiana Pacers or the New York Knicks; currently, Indiana holds a 3-1 lead in their series. Regardless of their opponent, Oklahoma City will host the initial two games of the Finals at home, thanks to their top playoff seeding, scheduled for June 5 and June 8. Should the series extend, Games 5 and 7 will be played on June 16 and June 22, respectively, at the Thunder’s home court.
Dominant Performance in the Conference Finals
Oklahoma City demonstrated their dominance in the decisive game, turning a potentially tense matchup into a blowout by leading by as many as 39 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was recently named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, contributed a staggering 34 points, showcasing his pivotal role in the team’s success.
Photo credit: Matt Krohn / AP
Rapid Rise from Rebuilding to Contender
Oklahoma City’s transformation from a struggling franchise to a championship contender has been astonishingly swift. In 2021, during a COVID-affected season, the team managed only 22 wins-the franchise’s lowest tally since relocating from Seattle in 2008. The following year, their victory count increased marginally to 24, trailing far behind the league’s top teams like Phoenix, which secured the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference with 64 wins.
Since then, the Thunder have steadily improved each season: 40 wins in 2022, 57 in 2023-their best record in over a decade-and now an impressive 68 wins in the current season, tying for the fourth-highest total in NBA history. Notably, four of the six teams that achieved such win totals in a single season advanced to the NBA Finals, positioning Oklahoma City as a strong candidate to join this elite group.
Historical Context and Franchise Aspirations
Despite their recent success, the Thunder have yet to claim an NBA championship since relocating to Oklahoma City. Their closest attempt was in 2012, when they reached the Finals with a roster featuring three future MVPs but ultimately fell to the Miami Heat.
The team’s current roster boasts a standout MVP in Gilgeous-Alexander, complemented by a versatile and well-constructed squad built during lean years. A key part of their rebuilding strategy involved acquiring numerous draft picks, notably from the 2019 trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, which included star Paul George. This trade marked a turning point, allowing Oklahoma City to rebuild with young talent and strategic draft selections.
Strategic Player Development and Key Signings
Following the trade, the Thunder made a shrewd move by signing undrafted Arizona State guard Lu Dort, who has since become a perennial candidate for NBA All-Defense honors. Dort’s defensive prowess has been instrumental in establishing the league’s top-ranked defense during both the regular season and playoffs.
Three years after acquiring Gilgeous-Alexander and a wealth of draft assets, Oklahoma City drafted Jalen Williams, who earned All-Star honors this season and became the team’s second-leading scorer. The 2022 draft also brought Chet Holmgren into the fold, a promising young talent who scored 22 points in Wednesday’s game and is expected to be a cornerstone for the franchise’s future.
Postseason Journey and Future Prospects
The Thunder kicked off their 2025 playoff run with a sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies, followed by a hard-fought seven-game series victory over the Denver Nuggets in the conference semifinals. Their latest series against Minnesota saw them take a commanding 3-1 lead before closing out the series with a dominant performance in Game 5, propelling them into the NBA Finals.
Author: Andrew Greif
Andrew Greif is a seasoned sports journalist contributing to NBC News Digital, providing in-depth coverage and analysis of professional basketball and other sports.
