Thunder Survive Furious Timberwolves Rally to Take Commanding Series Lead
Just a year ago, the Oklahoma City Thunder were just another rebuilding team, but after edging out the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-126 in Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference Finals, they’re suddenly staring down a possible trip to the Finals. The win puts the Thunder up 3-1 in the series and just one step from a shot at their first Western Conference crown since the Kevin Durant era.
It wasn’t a smooth ride, though. Early on, both squads looked locked in on defense, hustling for every loose ball and contesting every shot. The Thunder pressured the Timberwolves relentlessly, knowing they couldn’t allow Minnesota’s offense to settle. That defensive attitude paid off, especially in the first half. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s grown into the franchise centerpiece, started firing on all cylinders. He finished with a monstrous 40 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists, getting buckets in the paint and knocking down tough shots with defenders draped on him. You could feel his presence on every possession.
But it wasn’t just Shai. Jalen Williams lit it up from deep, connecting on 6-of-9 three-pointers and racking up 34 points for the night. His hot start included 15 in the first half and several key plays as momentum swung back and forth. The Thunder bench also chipped in when needed—Dante DiVincenzo brought energy and kept the offense humming during critical stretches, giving Oklahoma City those extra minutes of stability that often make the difference in playoff basketball.
Crunch-Time Heroics and Late-Game Drama
As the game moved into the fourth quarter, it seemed the Timberwolves might rally back. Anthony Edwards, wearing the weight of the moment, kept attacking and ended the final frame with 15 of his own. He was aggressive going to the rim, drew fouls, and tried to will his squad forward. Nickeil Alexander-Walker stepped up too, finishing as Minnesota’s leading scorer with 23 points and six assists. But for every run the Wolves made, the Thunder responded—whether it was through corner threes, gritty rebounds, or attacking the paint after turnovers.
The last couple of minutes were pure chaos. The Timberwolves kept clawing, trimming the lead thanks to late buckets and tight defense. It all came down to a wild sequence: a deflected pass, a frantic scramble, and the Thunder finally recovering the ball to seal the win. Oklahoma City’s defense refused to break, and their composure under pressure was a stark contrast to their nightmare loss in Game 3, when they were trounced by 42 points. This bounce-back effort showed grit and plenty of maturity for one of the league’s youngest rosters.
This win means Oklahoma City returns home with a chance to end the series in Game 5—an opportunity they’ll be desperate not to waste. The Oklahoma City Thunder have never looked closer to an NBA Finals return, and for Minnesota, the challenge is steep. They’ll have to regroup fast if they want to stop the Thunder’s run and keep their own championship hopes alive. Game 5 is shaping up to be another thriller, and if the last minutes of Game 4 taught us anything, it’s not over until the horn sounds.
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