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Closing in on the Finals
Ben Remis
May 29, 2025
Good Morning! Here’s what happened in the world of sports on Wednesday, May 28.
NBA
Game five of the Western Conference finals was over just as soon as it started– Oklahoma City led 26-9 after the first quarter and imposed their will on the Timberwolves, beating Minnesota 124-94 and earning a spot in the NBA Finals. MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points, Chet Holmgren shot 8-13 from the field and dropped 22, and the swarming Thunder defense played one of their best games of the year. As Minnesota superstar Anthony Edwards put it afterwards, “They were the better team, they came out and beat us, punched us in the face, and we lost the game, we lost the series." OKC is now the fourth team in NBA history to win 80 games before the start of the Finals, joining the Chicago Bulls of ‘95-’96 and ‘96-’97 and the Golden State Warriors of 2015-16. They’ve had a remarkable season– now the Thunder are four wins away from their first championship.
You only need to watch one defensive possession by the Thunder to understand that what they do is not normal.
Oklahoma City has the best defense in modern NBA history.
Here's how it works ⤵️
nytimes.com/athletic/63208…
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic)
1:54 AM • May 29, 2025
NHL
For the first half of last night’s game in Carolina, the Hurricanes looked like they had turned a corner. Two goals by their leader, Sebastian Aho, gave the home team a lead a rare lead in a series that once looked completely over. But in less than a minute, everything changed. Matthew Tkachuk and Evan Rodrigues scored twice in 30 seconds and suddenly the Florida Panthers were back in the driver’s seat. Each team traded goals and the game was tied 3-3 until Carter Verhaeghe buried the series-winner midway through the third period. Sam Bennett poked home an empty-netter to seal the deal as the defending champions clinched a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals for the third season in a row. They’re the seventh team since the 1967 expansion to make three consecutive Cup Finals. "I remember a few years ago it felt like such an accomplishment,” said Tkachuck, “This year, it's all business.”
MLB
Time for baseball highlights on this beautiful Thursday morning:
Another day, another Brewers walk-off. Tuesday it was a Christian Yelich grand slam, and yesterday Milwaukee beat Boston on rookie Caleb Durbin’s sacrifice fly.
Can we talk for a moment about the most under appreciated player in baseball? Brendan Donovan of the St. Louis Cardinals leads the National League in both hits and doubles. He’s third in batting average, fifth in on-base percentage, and ninth in WAR. Oh, and last night, Donovan hit a two-run home run to lead the Cards to a 6-4 victory over the Orioles. That’s 18 wins in the last 23 games for St. Louis– their second baseman is a big reason for their success.
The young Nationals are starting to arrive! Robert Hassell III hit his first career home run and James Wood crushed his 15th of the season as Washington beat Seattle 9-0. Plus Wood was part of this wonderful little ad for Papa John’s:
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
A tough break for the Edmonton Oilers ahead of game five tonight, as star forward Zach Hyman underwent surgery and has been ruled out for the remainder of the postseason. The 2025 postseason leader in hits, Hyman will be sorely missed if the Oilers are able to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals for a rematch with Florida.
TODAY’S BIG GAMES (all times Eastern)
FRENCH OPEN:
Flavio Cobolli vs Matteo Arnaldi, 7:20 AM
Katie Boulter vs (7) Madison Keys, 8:10 AM
Viktoria Azarenka vs (31) Sofia Kenin, 9:30 AM
Gael Monfils vs (5) Jack Draper, 2:15 PM
MLB: Braves @ Phillies doubleheader, 1:05 PM and 6:45 PM on MLB Network
NBA: Pacers @ Knicks, 8 PM on TNT/Max
NHL: Oilers @ Stars, 8 PM on ESPN
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