Thunder make NBA finals but have ‘more work to do’

After winning the NBA Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2012, the Oklahoma City Thunder “have a lot more work to do,” according to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The Thunder won the best-of-seven Western Conference finals series 4-1 thanks to the NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), who had 34 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists in the 124-94 victory.

After being defeated by the Miami Heat in 2012, the Thunder are still on the verge of winning their first NBA title.

Let’s get ready, Gilgeous-Alexander said, “This is a step in the right direction, but we still have a lot to do to reach our ultimate goal.”

“Only that is all I’m focused on,” I said. Our road is still evolving.

The Thunder will host Game 1 of the Finals on Thursday when they take on the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks for the NBA title. With game five scheduled for Thursday, India leads the series 3-1.

LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Steph Curry are the only players to have reached the Finals the same year as winning MVP, joining Gilgeous-Alexander.

The 26-year-old Canadian won the NBA title in the same season as Shaquille O’Neal, who was also named Western Conference MVP on Wednesday.

The Thunder, who are the youngest team in the NBA Finals since the Portland Trail Blazers in 1977, have an average age of 25.6 years, led the team to record 22 points and Jalen Williams to record 19 of them.

These guys really make me feel like I’m playing AAU basketball, like I’m back in 15 years, Gilgeous-Alexander continued.

It’s simply enjoyable. That is what makes us exceptional. Being together makes us so much fun.

The Timberwolves’ season ended in the conference finals for the second consecutive year after falling to the Dallas Mavericks last year.

Anthony Edwards, who had 19 points for the Timberwolves and was paced by Julius Randle, added, “They dominated the game from the tip.”