THAT BIG NIGHT. ABSOLUTELY SURREAL NIGHT AT THE PAYCOM TONIGHT. IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER ARE GOING TO THE NBA FINALS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2012. THEY BEAT THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES BY 30 IN A CLOSEOUT GAME FIVE HERE IN OKLAHOMA CITY. THIS TEAM HAS BEEN DOUBTED AT EVERY TURN. YOU TURN ON THE TV, LISTEN TO THE NATIONAL MEDIA. ANYONE AND EVERYBODY WAS BETTER THAN OKC. EXCEPT THEY WEREN’T. AND FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2012, THE THUNDER ARE HEADED TO THE NBA FINALS. OBVIOUSLY HAPPY FOR THE MOMENT, BUT LIKE THIS ISN’T OUR GOAL. THIS ISN’T THE END OF THE ROAD. THIS ISN’T. LET’S KEEP GETTING BETTER. ONE MORE SERIES TO TRY TO GO WIN. IT FEELS VERY SURREAL. I KNOW THAT’S LIKE A PRETTY TYPICAL WORD THAT PEOPLE SAY, BUT THAT THAT IS WHAT I’M FEELING LIKE I HAVEN’T REALLY BEEN ABLE TO, LIKE, WRAP MY HEAD AROUND IT. I WANTED THE FANS TO BE ABLE TO ENJOY, ENJOY THE MOMENT WITH US. I WANTED THEM TO BE ABLE TO SEE IT UNFOLD IN FRONT OF THEIR EYES. I WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO CELEBRATE TONIGHT IN OUR BUILDING. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT, LIKE, ABOVE ALL, I COULD GIVE MY ENERGY AND MY EFFORT TO TRY TO GIVE THESE FANS WHAT THEY DESERVE. IT WAS A CELEBRATION THE WHOLE NIGHT. THE THUNDER, YOU JUST JUMPED OUT AND ABSOLUTELY DOMINATED. AND YOU KNOW WHAT’S NEXT? NEXT THURSDAY, RIGHT BACK HERE FOR GAME ONE OF THE NBA FINALS. GUYS, IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE. AND YET HERE WE ARE THE NBA FINALS FROM THE PAYCOM CENTER I’M BRYAN KEATING FOR KOCO FIVE SPORTS. AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE NBA FINALS SCHEDULE. LIKE BRYANT SAID, GAME ONE WILL BE A WEEK FROM TONIGHT HERE AT HOME AT 730. THEN GAME TWO ALSO AT HOME ON SUNDAY, JUNE 8TH. THAT STARTING AT SEVEN GAMES THREE AND FOUR WILL BE ON THE ROAD ON JUNE 11TH AND THE 13TH, BOTH AT 730. IF WE GO BEYOND THAT, THEN WE’LL ALTERNATE EACH GAME. YOU CAN CATCH ALL OF THE NBA
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NBA legend Magic Johnson apologizes to Thunder for ‘underestimating’ team
Many pundits and experts did not think the Oklahoma City Thunder would reach the NBA Finals after a 68-win regular season, saying they weren’t experienced enough to make a serious playoff run.
Updated: 2:44 PM CDT May 29, 2025
Many pundits and experts did not think the Oklahoma City Thunder would reach the NBA Finals after a 68-win regular season, saying they weren’t experienced enough to make a serious playoff run. >> Related Video Above: Thunder heading to their second NBA Finals since franchise moved to OKC One of those who doubted the Thunder was NBA legend Earvin Magic Johnson. He, however, turned to social media to apologize to the Thunder for those doubts. “I want to apologize to the Oklahoma City Thunder for underestimating them and not thinking they were ready to compete for a Championship,” Johnson posted on the social media platform X. He then continued to post praise about the Thunder, congratulating Western Conference Finals Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The regular season MVP and the conference finals MVP earned a trophy that is named after Johnson. “What I love about Shai is that he dominates on the court and is humble off the court,” the five-time NBA champion posted. Johnson added a shout-out to Alex Caruso, who won an NBA title while with the Lakers in 2020, and Thunder fans should give the team’s general manager, Sam Presti, “a standing ovation for putting together an amazing roster.” The NBA named Presti the Executive of the Year, marking the first time he’s won the award. More Thunder HeadlinesTracking Thunder ticket prices for first two games of NBA FinalsSee when you can watch the Thunder play in the NBA FinalsOklahoma City Thunder return to NBA Finals after 13 yearsThe Thunder have won the Western Conference title. Here’s where you can get NBA Finals gearSGA wins Western Conference Finals MVP
Many pundits and experts did not think the Oklahoma City Thunder would reach the NBA Finals after a 68-win regular season, saying they weren’t experienced enough to make a serious playoff run.
>> Related Video Above: Thunder heading to their second NBA Finals since franchise moved to OKC
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One of those who doubted the Thunder was NBA legend Earvin Magic Johnson. He, however, turned to social media to apologize to the Thunder for those doubts.
“I want to apologize to the Oklahoma City Thunder for underestimating them and not thinking they were ready to compete for a Championship,” Johnson posted on the social media platform X.
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He then continued to post praise about the Thunder, congratulating Western Conference Finals Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The regular season MVP and the conference finals MVP earned a trophy that is named after Johnson.
“What I love about Shai is that he dominates on the court and is humble off the court,” the five-time NBA champion posted.
Johnson added a shout-out to Alex Caruso, who won an NBA title while with the Lakers in 2020, and Thunder fans should give the team’s general manager, Sam Presti, “a standing ovation for putting together an amazing roster.” The NBA named Presti the Executive of the Year, marking the first time he’s won the award.
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