Thunder Pull Ahead in the West: Game 4 Delivers High Drama
The Oklahoma City Thunder just flipped the Western Conference Finals narrative by outlasting the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-126 in a Game 4 thriller. Walking out of Minnesota with a 3-1 series lead, the Thunder now dangle on the doorstep of the NBA Finals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was an absolute force, dropping 40 points in a performance that had the crowd buzzing and the Timberwolves scrambling for answers.
The game was anything but settled until the final seconds. Minnesota, down but far from out, rallied hard in the fourth quarter to push the Thunder to their limits. Every possession felt like a playoff mini-drama, with lead changes keeping even fans at home out of their seats. Yet, OKC’s poise held up under intense pressure, as Shai’s clutch buckets and Jalen Williams’ energetic 34-point night made sure the Timberwolves didn’t steal the show.
It’s not just the points these guys are putting up, either. Gilgeous-Alexander kept attacking from everywhere—tough finishes at the rim, smooth mid-range jumpers, and cold-blooded free throws. Williams complemented him perfectly, slashing into the paint, running the floor like a man possessed, and keeping the Timberwolves' defense guessing all night. The duo accounted for well over half of Oklahoma City's scoring, refusing to let momentum slip for long.
The Timberwolves’ Last Stand and What’s Next
For Minnesota, this loss stings. Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns both tried to drag the Wolves back into it with aggressive drives and timely threes, but the Thunder's defense came up big in the clutch. Late-game shot-swatting and smart switches frustrated Minnesota, who saw several of their runs fizzle when it mattered most.
One thing’s for sure—nobody headed for the exits early. Target Center stayed loud until the last shot clanged off the rim, hoping for a miracle that just didn’t come. Now, the Timberwolves are staring at elimination, needing to win three straight to keep this magical playoff ride alive. The Thunder, meanwhile, are riding high, just a single victory away from their first Finals appearance in years.
The NBA West Finals have turned up the heat, and with Game 5 looming, every play will count even more. If you’re into high-stakes basketball, this series is serving up exactly what the postseason’s all about. Do the Timberwolves have one more comeback in them, or is Oklahoma City set to close out in style?