The Oklahoma City Thunder are back on basketball’s biggest stage for the first time since 2011. On Wednesday night, they punched their ticket to the NBA Finals with a 124-94 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. With the win, they capped off a remarkable playoff run that has silenced critics and rewritten expectations for the young, upstart squad.
Few expected the Thunder to make such a run this season, but they’ve thrived under the spotlight. Oklahoma City has exceeded all predictions with a blend of chemistry and star power. They even forced a stunning reversal from NBA legend Magic Johnson. In an X post, Johnson admitted he was wrong about their potential.
“I want to apologize to the Oklahoma City Thunder for underestimating them and not thinking they were ready to compete for a Championship,” Johnson wrote.
I want to apologize to the Oklahoma City Thunder for underestimating them and not thinking they were ready to compete for a Championship.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 29, 2025
With the victory, Oklahoma City ends a 13-year Finals drought and cements its place in NBA history. They’ve become the fourth team in NBA history to notch 80 combined wins in the regular season and playoffs before reaching the Finals. The 2015-16 Warriors and the legendary Bulls squads from 1995-96 and 1996-97 were the teams that reached this milestone before.
Magic Johnson Heaps High Praise On Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
After earning the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award in the regular season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added another accolade by claiming the Western Conference Finals MVP. In another X post, Magic Johnson lauded SGA for the achievement.
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“Congratulations to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for winning the MVP of the Western Conference Finals named after me. What I love about Shai is that he dominates on the court and is humble off the court!” Johnson wrote.
SGA is now a member of an elite company. He is the first player since Stephen Curry in 2015-16 to win league MVP and reach the Finals in the same season. Game 1 of the NBA Finals tips off in Oklahoma City on Thursday, where the Thunder will try to cap off their dream run with a championship.
Also Read: Oklahoma City Thunder Join Elite Company Of Warriors And Bulls After Game 5 Win Over Wolves
