Man, what a night it was for the Oklahoma City Thunder. On May 28, 2025, in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, they crushed the Minnesota Timberwolves 124 to 97 right at the Paycom Center. It wasn’t just any win—no, it was a full-on statement. The Thunder are finally back in the NBA Finals after all these years.
In this Oklahoma City Thunder vs Timberwolves match player stats final breakdown, we’re gonna see just how they pulled this off. From quick scoring bursts to solid defense, they had everything working. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? He was on fire, showing why he’s one of the league’s brightest stars now. The Timberwolves tried hard, no doubt, but they just couldn’t keep up. Guys like Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns were off their game, and the turnovers? Yeah, that hurt them badly.
Everyone thought this Western Conference Finals would be neck-and-neck, but Game 5 made it clear: the Thunder were on a whole different level. Now, they head to the NBA Finals, while Minnesota’s season ends with what-ifs. Let’s break down every stat and moment that made this game unforgettable.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Timberwolves Match Player Stats
Okay, so here’s the deal with the stats — they tell the story of why the Thunder ran away with this one. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? Dude dropped 36 points like it was nothing. Plus, he grabbed rebounds and dished out assists to keep the offense humming. But he wasn’t flying solo. Chet Holmgren? Total monster on defense — 9 rebounds and a bunch of blocks. Seriously, that guy was all over the place.
Jalen Williams and Lu Dort also stepped up, scoring double digits. And Josh Giddey? Running the show with his passing and hustle.
Now, the Timberwolves? Anthony Edwards put up 22 points, but the team just couldn’t keep pace. Karl-Anthony Towns fought hard on the boards, but shooting was off, and turnovers kept piling up. It hurt them.
Turnovers and bad shots? Yeah, that pretty much sums up Minnesota’s night. The full box score below shows the whole picture.
Let’s dive into the player stats for both teams and see who did what.
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 36 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 64% |
| Chet Holmgren | 17 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 58% |
| Jalen Williams | 20 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 61% |
| Lu Dort | 11 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 46% |
| Josh Giddey | 10 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 42% |
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | TO | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Edwards | 22 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 41% |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | 14 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 38% |
| Mike Conley | 9 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 36% |
| Rudy Gobert | 7 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 40% |
| Jaden McDaniels | 8 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 39% |
Thunder Player Performance Breakdown
When you look at the Oklahoma City Thunder vs Timberwolves match player stats, one name stands out like a beacon — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Shai was straight-up phenomenal, dropping 36 points while dishing out 5 assists and pulling down 6 rebounds. This wasn’t just a scoring night; it was an MVP-level performance that carried the Thunder’s offense and kept the energy buzzing throughout the game. His leadership on the floor was clear—he took over in clutch moments, calmly orchestrating plays and pushing the team when it mattered most. The stats only tell part of the story, but Shai’s impact goes way beyond numbers.
Next up is Chet Holmgren, who was a monster in the paint. His rim protection was top-tier, swatting away 4 shots and grabbing 9 rebounds. Holmgren’s presence changed how the Timberwolves attacked inside, forcing them into tough shots and turnovers. His spacing on offense helped keep defenders honest, opening lanes for teammates to exploit. If you want to talk about defensive dominance, just look at those Chet Holmgren blocks — they completely shifted momentum.
Jalen Williams also made his mark, showing efficient scoring and a knack for clutch shots that lifted the team at crucial stretches. With 20 points on highly efficient shooting, Jalen proved he’s more than just a role player — he’s a key piece of this Thunder squad’s puzzle.
Don’t overlook the bench either. Lu Dort’s defense was relentless, consistently harassing Timberwolves’ ball handlers, while Josh Giddey’s hustle and smart passing created second-chance opportunities. Their combined effort off the bench added a critical spark when starters rested.
Thunder Top 5 Players Stats
| Player | PTS | AST | REB | FG% | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 36 | 5 | 6 | 64% | +18 |
| Chet Holmgren | 17 | 2 | 9 | 58% | +15 |
| Jalen Williams | 20 | 3 | 4 | 61% | +12 |
| Lu Dort | 11 | 1 | 3 | 46% | +8 |
| Josh Giddey | 10 | 6 | 5 | 42% | +10 |
Timberwolves Key Stats and Struggles
Anthony Edwards showed some nice moments, but honestly, it just wasn’t his night. He led the team with 22 points, sure, but his shooting felt off — especially down the stretch when the game was on the line. Fans were hoping he’d step up big time in this do-or-die Game 5, but the rhythm just never came for him. Not a terrible effort, but not enough to keep pace with the Thunder’s firepower.
Karl-Anthony Towns had a rough go, dealing with early foul trouble that forced him to sit more than usual. Even though he grabbed 8 rebounds, his shot just didn’t fall, finishing under 40%. His time off the floor hurt Minnesota inside, letting Oklahoma City take over the paint on both ends.
Then there’s the bigger picture — Minnesota turned the ball over way too much and their defense just didn’t show up like it should. They gave up 12 turnovers, handing the Thunder easy buckets, and their defense looked slow and disorganized. The Thunder players found open shots and lanes too often. That lack of pressure and energy on defense played a huge part in the blowout loss.
So yeah, turnovers and shaky defense were the story for the Timberwolves. They just couldn’t keep up with the Thunder’s intensity and discipline when it counted most. The season had hope, but this night showed where they still need to grow.
Quarter-by-Quarter Recap of Game 5
From the very start, the Thunder came out firing. In the first quarter, they jumped all over the Timberwolves with a quick 12-2 run that left Minnesota scrambling. Shai was everywhere—driving hard, dishing assists, and just making plays happen. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves looked a little off — missed shots piled up, and turnovers started creeping in. By the end of Q1, the Thunder had a nice little lead going.
The second quarter told a bit of a different story. The Timberwolves woke up and started fighting back. Anthony Edwards got hot for a while, knocking down some key baskets. Towns was trying to hold the fort inside despite getting into foul trouble early, which cut into his minutes. Minnesota chipped away at the lead, playing tougher defense and stopping the Thunder a few times. Still, by halftime, the Thunder kept a solid 7-point edge.
Then in the third, the Thunder put the hammer down. Shai took over the game big time — scoring buckets left and right, and making smart passes too. Chet Holmgren was a nightmare at the rim, swatting shots and making it tough for Minnesota to score inside. The lead grew to double digits, and the momentum was fully on Oklahoma City’s side heading into the final frame.
The fourth quarter? That was all Thunder. Their defense clamped down hard, forcing the Timberwolves into bad shots and turnovers. Minnesota couldn’t find a rhythm at all. Oklahoma City pushed the lead to over 20 points, and the crowd at the Paycom Center was roaring as the Thunder sealed their spot in the NBA Finals.
Quarter-by-Quarter Score Chart
| Quarter | Thunder | Timberwolves |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 34 | 22 |
| Q2 | 28 | 25 |
| Q3 | 33 | 23 |
| Q4 | 29 | 27 |
Big Game Moments & Turning Points
You could feel it before the ball even tipped — this one was going to be wild. And man, it delivered.
Right out the gate, the energy was off the charts. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander threw down a monster dunk early in the first that sent the crowd into a frenzy. It wasn’t just a highlight — it meant something. A message. Like, “we’re not messing around tonight.” A few possessions later, Chet Holmgren sent Anthony Edwards’ layup flying off the glass, and the place exploded. That block was cold. You could feel the crowd start to believe.
But it was that stretch in the third quarter — that’s when it all flipped. Jalen Williams hit not one, but two threes in a row, and the roof nearly came off. Back-to-back daggers like that? You knew Minnesota was on the ropes. The Thunder were flying, and the Timberwolves just didn’t have an answer.
Then came the kill shot — Lu Dort diving for a loose ball, snatching it, racing up court, and flushing it on the break. The crowd went insane. Chaos in the best way. That was it. You saw heads drop on the Wolves’ bench.
This wasn’t just about stats. This was about grit, fire, heart — all of it. The fans? They felt every second. This was Thunder basketball at its loudest, proudest, and most unstoppable.
Tactical Breakdown
Coach Mark Daigneault doesn’t always get the spotlight, but he flat-out coached circles around the Wolves in Game 5. His rotations were sharp—not too tight, not too loose—and he adjusted in real time when things shifted. Early on, he leaned into small-ball lineups that forced Minnesota’s bigs to defend out in space. That opened the floor for Shai and Jalen to do their thing.
One of the biggest problems for the Timberwolves all night? They just couldn’t handle the pick-and-roll. Over and over again, Shai used that action to collapse the defense and either get a look or kick it out to the corners. Minnesota’s guards kept dying on screens, and their bigs looked hesitant, almost like they weren’t sure if they were switching or hedging. It cost them.
The Thunder saw that confusion and pounced. Every time Towns got pulled into a switch, Shai or Jalen went right at him. No hesitation. Even Giddey took advantage a few times, just driving straight into space.
Another subtle wrinkle — Daigneault toggled between zone and man-to-man throughout the second half. That little shift kept the Wolves from getting into a rhythm offensively. They’d start a possession thinking it was man, then get caught in no-man’s land when it was clearly zone. The result? Hesitation, bad shots, and more transition chances for OKC.
In short: Thunder adjusted. Wolves didn’t. That’s what made the difference.
What This Win Means for the Thunder
For the Oklahoma City Thunder, this wasn’t just another playoff victory — it was a moment ten years in the making. With this Game 5 win, they’re heading back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012. Back then, it was Durant, Westbrook, and Harden leading the charge. Today, it’s a new face of the franchise — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Shai didn’t just lead this team. He owned the moment. This playoff run has been his coming-out party to the world — not as an All-Star, but as a true superstar. His mix of poise, skill, and toughness has been undeniable. Game after game, he’s delivered when it counted.
For Thunder fans, this win brings it all full circle. After years of rebuilding, heartbreak, and near-misses, they’re back — not because of a lucky trade or a superteam — but because of development, culture, and belief.
This is a team that grew together. A coach who trusted his guys. And a fanbase that never stopped showing up. Now they’re four wins away from something even bigger. The Finals are here. And so are the Thunder.
Timberwolves Season in Review
The Minnesota Timberwolves just wrapped up their best season in a long time — and yet, it still hurts. They fought hard all year, climbed the Western standings, and finally looked like a team ready to make real noise. But in the end, experience caught up with them. The Thunder were sharper, steadier, and just more ready for the big stage.
That said, this wasn’t a failure. Anthony Edwards took a huge leap this season. He became the face of the franchise, a guy you can build around. Karl-Anthony Towns had his moments too, but foul trouble and inconsistency haunted him in the playoffs.
Minnesota’s core is strong. Edwards, McDaniels, Reid — they’ve got pieces. What they need is polish. More playoff reps. Maybe a veteran playmaker. Maybe more size on the wing. Whatever the tweaks, the blueprint is there.
This team isn’t going away. The pain of this loss? That’s fuel. Ant’s only getting better. And if Minnesota plays its cards right, this won’t be the end of their story — just the beginning.
Final Player Efficiency & Stat Comparison
| Player | PTS | AST | REB | FG% | EFF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) | 36 | 5 | 6 | 64% | 33 |
| Chet Holmgren (OKC) | 17 | 2 | 9 | 58% | 25 |
| Jalen Williams (OKC) | 20 | 3 | 4 | 61% | 22 |
| Anthony Edwards (MIN) | 22 | 4 | 5 | 41% | 19 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN) | 14 | 2 | 8 | 38% | 16 |
Conclusion & Fan Takeaways
This game had a certain feeling from the start. You could sense it in the crowd, the way every basket was met with raw noise — not just cheers, but the kind of thunder that rattles you. Oklahoma City came in focused, prepared, and ready to punch their ticket to something bigger. And now, they’re headed to the NBA Finals.
Online, Thunder fans are on fire. Social feeds exploded with posts about Shai’s poise, Chet’s growth, and how this young team feels way ahead of schedule. The Paycom Center crowd didn’t want to leave. People stayed after the final buzzer, soaking it all in like they didn’t want the night to end.
For Timberwolves fans, there’s disappointment, sure. But also pride. This was their best season in years. Ant showed he’s on the verge of becoming a true franchise player, and the team fought deep into the playoffs. One game doesn’t erase the steps they’ve taken.
Still, this night belonged to OKC. The city has waited over a decade for another Finals shot. The team delivered. And the fans? They believed the whole way. This wasn’t just a win. It was a moment — the kind people talk about for years.
Henry Philip is the Lead Publisher at VCEMagazine.com, where he delivers in-depth coverage of the sports world — from player stats and game analytics to financial profiles of elite athletes. With a background in sports journalism and data analysis, Henry tracks performance trends and off-field ventures across major leagues like MLB, NFL, NBA, and international football.
Over the years, he has profiled top stars, broken down match-day metrics, and analyzed how athletes build wealth through contracts, sponsorships, and business ventures. His work bridges the gap between on-field performance and off-field financial strategy, helping fans understand the full picture of sports success.
Whether writing about a quarterback’s clutch stats or a baseball legend’s business empire, Henry’s focus is on accuracy, insight, and trusted storytelling.