Even if they complete a miracle comeback against the Pacers, an NBA championship is not in the Knicks’ future, at least according to Stephen A. Smith. During Friday’s episode

The Minnesota Timberwolves, for the first time in franchise history, reached the conference finals in consecutive seasons.

The Minnesota Timberwolves deserve some credit for making the NBA Western Conference Finals (the better conference) in back-to-back years, but they were quickly disposed of by the Oklahoma City Thunder this season.

How the Thunder, who defeated the Timberwolves, 4-1, in the Western Conference finals, handle that stretch could set the tone for the NBA Finals that starts June 5 in Oklahoma City.

The Thunder booked a trip to the NBA Finals, and it was clear from the reaction of Sonics fans that the 17 years since the team left has done little to quell the anger.

After Presti and Daigneault reached the pinnacle of their era, the OKC coach was asked about his long journey with the GM. He kept the self-reflection minimal as the Thunder still have the NBA Finals to play for but praised the front office guru for the culture built.

Lakers legend Magic Johnson issued a public apology to the newly minted Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder for doubting them.

NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a playoff career-high 40 points, and All-NBA forward Jalen Williams had a playoff career-high 34 points for the Thunder. Oklahoma City held Minnesota All-Star Anthony Edwards to an uneventful 16 points and Julius Randle to five points.