That sealed the Western Conference Finals as the first seed won the series in five games. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had an efficient 34 points. Jalen Williams had 19 points and eight rebounds. Chet Holmgren finished with 22 points and seven rebounds.

“These guys are uncommon,” said Daigneault, who was an assistant at Florida when the Thunder lost to Miami in the 2012 finals, was coaching Oklahoma City’s G League team in 2016 and has been at the Thunder helm since 2020. “They do everything right. They’re professional. They’re high character.”