Alex Caruso summoned the crowd for more.
Timberwolves were splayed across the court — Naz Reid a contorted mess of limbs, Julius Randle with hands on knees, Anthony Edwards zapped of his superpowers — yet Caruso wasn’t satisfied. Neither were the rabid onlookers.
The Thunder had rattled the Wolves. In time it would shatter their souls.
“They were laser-focused tonight,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said of his squad.
By the end of OKC’s 124-94 Game 5 win Wednesday night, the Thunder’s barbaric defense had reduced the Wolves to nothing but a collection of empty pelts.
The Thunder is headed to the NBA Finals for lots of reasons.
Because Sam Presti assembled a monster roster through a flawless rebuild. Because Mark Daigneault is a damn good coach. Because Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the MVP. Because of homegrown co-stars Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren.
Pre-order commemorative book on Thunder’s run to NBA Finals
But on a micro level, the Thunder is headed to the NBA Finals because of its defense.
A historically dominant regular-season defense that’s only gotten stingier in these playoffs.
The first-quarter score Wednesday night: Thunder 26, Timberwolves 9.
Nine points for the Wolves on 3-of-20 shooting.
The Thunder’s halftime lead: 65-32.
The Timberwolves had more turnovers (14) than baskets (12) in the first half.
If the game wasn’t over by the first quarter, it was a wrap by halftime.
The Thunder had broken the Wolves, victims of basketball crimes both physical and mental.
“I just thought the tone we set in the game was really, really good,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “The guys were unbelievably focused. They were able to cut through all the distractions of the game.”
Anthony Edwards took 19 shots to score 18 points. Randle led the Wolves with 24 points on efficient shooting, but he also committed four turnovers. Reid had five baskets and a team-high five turnovers. It looked like the gangly center was playing with a greased basketball. Once, Caruso scared Reid into a turnover without even making contact.
Caruso, Dort and Cason Wallace formed a trio of terror around Edwards. Chet Holmgren walled off the rim.
“We did everything we were supposed to do defensively,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
Randle made a 3-pointer for the game’s first basket. Those three points marked Minnesota’s largest lead of the game. The Thunder responded with an 11-0 run. Minnesota only made two more shots for the rest of the quarter.
Caruso promptly collected a steal upon checking into the game. He poked the ball from Randle and had a clear lane to the hoop. Caruso stopped when he got to the basket. He dished to a trailing Gilgeous-Alexander for a two-handed slam.
SGA pointed at Caruso, giving credit where it was due.
The Thunder, clad in gray NBA Finals shirts for the postgame ceremony at midcourt, formed a semicircle around the Western Conference finals trophy. It’s almost as if the team was guarding it.
Defense is what got the Thunder here — four wins away from an NBA title.
Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
