The Oklahoma City Thunder are now just one win away from their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012. In a gripping Game 4 battle on Monday, the Thunder edged out the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-126, seizing a commanding 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals.
The closing moments were a nail-biter, with the Thunder fending off a late Timberwolves surge. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams stepped up, making clutch shots and free throws that ultimately secured the victory. Gilgeous-Alexander was sensational, scoring a game-high 40 points — marking his sixth 30-plus point game in seven outings. He nearly completed a triple-double with 10 assists and nine rebounds, including seven crucial free throws in the final quarter.
Jalen Williams also had an impressive night, contributing 34 points, five assists, and three steals, while rookie Chet Holmgren chipped in 21 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks. The Thunder’s collective effort was undeniable.
On the other side, Minnesota’s bench was active, with Nickeil Alexander-Walker scoring 23 points and Donte DiVincenzo adding 21. The Timberwolves’ All-Star Anthony Edwards struggled from deep, hitting just one of seven three-point attempts and finishing with 16 points. Jaden McDaniels led Minnesota’s starters with 22 points.
Both teams showcased sharp shooting, each converting over 50% from the field and over 40% on three-pointers. Despite Minnesota’s strong offensive numbers, the Thunder delivered just enough in the clutch to stay ahead.
The pivotal Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday night in Oklahoma City at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Historically, teams leading a best-of-seven series 3-1 go on to win the series an overwhelming 95.6% of the time, putting the Thunder in a favorable spot.
By the end of the third quarter, the Thunder held a 90-85 lead. Early in the game, Oklahoma City maintained control, but Minnesota’s locker room adjustments fueled a strong comeback. Donte DiVincenzo’s three-pointer with four minutes remaining knotted the score at 79, igniting the energized Target Center crowd.
Yet, Oklahoma City responded swiftly and never relinquished the lead, which they had regained about seven minutes into the opening quarter. Gilgeous-Alexander was relentless, racking up 29 points, seven assists, and six rebounds by the third quarter’s end. Williams also shone, tallying 20 points.
Minnesota’s Edwards was stifled by Oklahoma City’s defensive pressure, particularly from Lu Dort, limiting him to 10 points. However, the Timberwolves’ bench provided a spark, contributing 43 points in total. Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the reserves with 16 points. Turnovers plagued Minnesota once again, with 19 giveaways compared to Oklahoma City’s 10.
In the first half, the Thunder led 65-57, buoyed by Gilgeous-Alexander’s 21 points, including 13 in the opening quarter. Williams added 15 points, and Chet Holmgren provided a solid presence with 10 points and five rebounds. Meanwhile, Minnesota remained competitive despite Anthony Edwards’ cold shooting—just four points on two field goal attempts. Jaden McDaniels paced Minnesota’s scoring with 12 points.
Both teams shot impressively, with Oklahoma City hitting 48% from the floor and 41.7% beyond the arc, while Minnesota was even more efficient at 50% overall and 44.4% on three-pointers. Minnesota’s turnovers and fewer shot attempts, however, hampered their chances.
The Thunder approached the game with a much more aggressive mentality than in their previous outing, while Minnesota continued to struggle with ball security. Early on, both teams were efficient — Minnesota made 12 of 19 shots (63.2%), Oklahoma City converted 14 of 25 (56%) — but Minnesota’s seven first-quarter turnovers prevented them from building momentum.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has unquestionably been the Thunder’s MVP throughout the series, directly scoring or assisting on 24 of their first-quarter points. Jalen Williams complemented his star with three made three-pointers and a total of 13 points early on. Jaden McDaniels led Minnesota with 10 points in the first quarter.
An unexpected highlight was the appearance of three-time Naismith Coach of the Year John Calipari. Calipari, known for coaching the Kentucky Wildcats from 2009 to 2024, attended Game 4. He previously coached Thunder stars Gilgeous-Alexander and Cason Wallace, as well as Timberwolves players Julius Randle and Rob Dillingham, adding an intriguing subplot to the night.
Starting lineups for the game were as follows:
Thunder: Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, Lu Dort, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Timberwolves: Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards, Mike Conley
The Thunder roster boasts one of the league’s deepest benches, though playoff rotations tend to tighten. Coach Mark Daigneault stresses the importance of keeping the entire squad ready. “We try to create an environment and culture of readiness,” Daigneault said. “Giving guys opportunities even when the game isn’t going our way helps keep everyone engaged and ready to step up.”
Minnesota has focused heavily on ball control, as turnovers have plagued them in previous games. Their coach, Chris Finch, emphasized the challenge posed by Oklahoma City’s suffocating defense, which thrives on forcing mistakes. “The faster we play and the quicker we decide, the better we are. When we hold the ball too long or hesitate, we invite trouble. OKC’s defense preys on that.”
Game 4 proved once again just how vital disciplined play is as the Timberwolves attempt to stay alive in the series. With Game 5 looming in Oklahoma City, the Thunder look poised to close out and secure their long-awaited return to the NBA Finals.
