Announcement: Oklahoma Awaits NBA Semifinal Opponent: San Antonio or Minnesota
After defeating the Lakers 4-0 in the series, the Thunder will face the winner of the pair currently tied 2-2.
Main Event
The Oklahoma City Thunder completed their second-round NBA playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers with a 4-0 sweep, securing a spot in the Western Conference semifinals. The decisive fourth game, held at the Lakers' home arena, ended with the defending champions winning 115-110. The Thunder became the second team after the New York Knicks to guarantee a spot in the conference finals.
Now, the regular-season champions eagerly await the outcome of the matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and the Minnesota Timberwolves, where the series currently stands at 3-2 in favor of the Spurs. Oklahoma has gained extra time for rest and preparation, which could be a key factor ahead of the season's decisive games.
Details and Statistics
The Thunder's path to the semifinals has been impressive: the team has not suffered a single loss in the current playoffs, winning all eight games with a combined record of 8-0. Before facing the Lakers, Oklahoma confidently dispatched the Phoenix Suns in the first round, also 4-0. The average point differential over the eight games played is 16.6 points, indicating total dominance.
In the series against the Lakers, Mark Daigneault's team secured victories with the following results:
- Game 1: 108-90
- Game 2: 125-107
- Game 3: 131-108
- Game 4: 115-110
The key figure for Oklahoma remains Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning league MVP who is highly likely to win the award for the second consecutive time. Around the leader, a deep and balanced team has been built, with Chet Holmgren playing an important role. Notably, the Thunder achieved such confident results even without an optimal lineup: Jalen Williams missed games due to wrist and hamstring injuries.
In the parallel series between San Antonio and Minnesota, events are unfolding much more dramatically. After the fifth game, held on May 12 in San Antonio, the Spurs took a 3-2 series lead. Victor Wembanyama's team secured a blowout victory 126-97, dealing a serious blow to the Timberwolves' ambitions.
The series has unfolded as follows:
- Game 1: Timberwolves won 104-102 on the road
- Game 2: Spurs routed the opponent 133-95
- Game 3: Spurs won 115-108
- Game 4: Timberwolves avenged with a 114-109 win
- Game 5: Spurs won 126-97
Minnesota's leader, Anthony Edwards, despite obvious health issues — he is playing with injuries to both knees — continues to show outstanding scoring. In the fourth game of the series, he scored 36 points, making 13 of 22 field goals, including 3 of 5 three-pointers. However, in the fifth game, his efforts were not enough.
The situation is exacerbated by significant roster losses for Minnesota. Donte DiVincenzo is out for the season due to a torn Achilles tendon sustained in the first round, and Ayo Dosunmu is battling a calf injury that severely limits his explosiveness.
The fourth game of the series was marked by an incident involving Spurs leader Victor Wembanyama, who was ejected for elbowing Naz Reid. The French center played only 12 minutes, scoring 4 points. The NBA decided not to impose additional sanctions on the player, limiting the punishment to the ejection in that game, and Wembanyama fully served the suspension in the fifth game, where he scored 27 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.
Context and Significance
The current playoffs could be a turning point in league history. According to many experts, we are on the verge of forming two dominant dynasties in the West — the Oklahoma City Thunder led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the San Antonio Spurs with Victor Wembanyama.
The defending champions approach the title defense as clear favorites. According to analysts, the Thunder's chances of repeating as champions are rated at -165 (equivalent to a probability of about 62.3%). Following in the list of contenders are San Antonio (+350), New York (+600), Detroit (+2000), Cleveland (+4000), and Minnesota (+5000).
Adding intrigue to a potential conference finals matchup is the regular-season head-to-head record. The Spurs won four of five games against the Thunder, which could create a psychological advantage for the Texas team. Moreover, San Antonio's success is particularly notable from a historical perspective: a team that finished third from the bottom in the Western Conference just a year ago is now one step away from its first conference finals appearance in nine years.
The Thunder, in turn, demonstrate a maturity atypical for such a young team. Last season, they already went through difficulties, losing in the 2024 semifinals to the Dallas Mavericks, and that experience has clearly benefited them.
For the Lakers, elimination in the second round could have far-reaching consequences. The team, left without the injured Luka Doncic (torn left hamstring), could not compete on equal footing with Oklahoma. Now all attention is focused on the future of 41-year-old LeBron James, who scored 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists in the sixth game of the series against Houston, but that was not enough to advance.
What's Next / Next Game Preview
The Oklahoma City Thunder have already secured their spot in the Western Conference finals and are now waiting for their opponent. Their opponent will be determined in the matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and the Minnesota Timberwolves, where the series stands at 3-2 in favor of the Spurs.
The sixth game of the series will take place on May 15 in Minnesota at the Target Center. The game time has not yet been determined and will be announced later, as playoff schedules are traditionally arranged based on television ratings and parallel series.
If the Timberwolves manage to win the sixth game, the seventh and decisive game will be held on May 17 in San Antonio at the Frost Bank Center. For Minnesota, this will be a do-or-die game: a loss ends the season, a win gives them a chance for a third consecutive conference finals appearance.
A key factor will be the physical condition of the Timberwolves' leaders. Anthony Edwards continues to play through pain, and his ability to withstand high loads in elimination games raises questions. However, even with a depleted roster, Minnesota has proven its worth by managing to challenge the deeper Spurs roster with their star Wembanyama.
The winner of this pair will face Oklahoma in the conference finals, which promises to be one of the most exciting in NBA history. Whether it's the young Spurs stars led by Wembanyama or the battle-hardened Timberwolves of Edwards, the showdown with the defending champions promises to be the highlight of the season.
— Editorial Team
