The NBA conference finals have shaped up to present a surprising mix of teams that defied preseason expectations. Among the franchises still in contention, the Oklahoma City Thunder, who led the league with a record of over 60 wins this season, managed to clinch a spot as the final team to secure their conference finals berth.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, entering as a sixth seed, remarkably navigated their way through the playoffs by defeating two seasoned squads, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors, in a decisive 4-1 series victory across the first two rounds of the Western Conference. Similarly, in the Eastern Conference, the underdog 3rd-seeded New York Knicks pulled off an unexpected upset against the defending champion Boston Celtics, setting the stage for their matchup against the 4th-seeded Indiana Pacers, who knocked out the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.
Importantly, this year’s playoffs have marked a historical turning point, as all remaining teams have not hoisted the championship trophy in over four decades. The New York Knicks last made it to the NBA Finals in the 1998-99 season and have not won a championship since 1973. The Oklahoma City Thunder, formed in 2008 from the Seattle SuperSonics franchise, carries a history of its own, as the SuperSonics won the championship in 1979. On the other hand, both the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Indiana Pacers have yet to see a championship title in their histories, with the Timberwolves never having appeared in the Finals.
This year will also herald the first instance in NBA history where a new champion will be crowned for the seventh consecutive year, showcasing an unprecedented level of competition within the league. Each of the remaining teams features talented young guards, providing optimism for their future prospects, particularly for the Memphis Grizzlies. Ja Morant, who was once seen as a standout talent compared to the remaining top guards—such as Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton, and New York’s Jalen Brunson—has the potential to reclaim that status, provided he can overcome the health challenges he has faced.
With three of the final four teams being ranked third and below in seeding, the narrative of being able to compete remains strong, suggesting that teams can thrive without necessarily avoiding the play-in tournament. The Memphis Grizzlies can view this outcome as a sign of hope for their own aspirations, looking ahead to a future filled with competitive potential, contingent on key roster decisions. The current landscape of the NBA presents an exciting opportunity for teams to rise above expectations and push for greatness.