Thunder Move One Step Closer to NBA Finals After Nail-Biting Win
The intensity inside the Target Center was off the charts on May 27, 2025. The Oklahoma City Thunder pushed past the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-126 in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, breaking the will of a determined home crowd. Now leading the best-of-seven series 3-1, the young Thunder are flirting with their first NBA Finals shot in years, and the story of the night was once again written by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Thunder’s star guard took over, racking up 40 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds. He set the pace early, attacking off the dribble and hitting tough shots from everywhere on the floor. Each time Minnesota closed the gap, Shai responded. His playmaking in crunch time—finding Jalen Williams, orchestrating offense under pressure—kept OKC on course, even while the Timberwolves kept swinging back.
Williams delivered in a big way, too. With 34 points on 13-for-24 shooting, including a deadly 6-for-9 from beyond the arc, his energy and shot-making gave OKC exactly the boost they needed. It was a breakout playoff performance at a critical juncture, especially with the Wolves tightening up on Gilgeous-Alexander and forcing others to step up.
Key Shifts and Crunch Time Drama
Don’t let the final score make you think this was smooth sailing. Minnesota fought tooth and nail to keep their season alive. Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Wolves with 23 points and 6 assists, never letting OKC pull too far ahead. He drained tough shots, drove the lane fearlessly, and made the Thunder fans sweat every time he touched the ball in the closing minutes.
The first half felt like a showcase of offensive firepower, both teams trading buckets with neither gaining much separation. In the third quarter, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault dialed up the pressure on defense. Quick rotations, physical switches, and a steady diet of double teams stifled the Wolves’ main scorers—slowing down Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns just enough to tip the scales. Minnesota struggled in those chunks to create clean looks, and the Thunder started forcing turnovers at crucial moments.
The final minutes cranked up the drama even more. Back and forth it went as every possession felt like a game-changer. With less than a minute left, Gilgeous-Alexander split the defense for a layup, then the Thunder tightened up defensively, contesting Minnesota’s late attempts. The Timberwolves had one last look, but a contested three fell short, sealing OKC’s escape with the win.
The significance? Oklahoma City has all the momentum, riding a three-game win streak and now standing just one win away from the NBA Finals—no small feat for a team that wasn’t even on many preseason radars.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s near triple-double powered OKC’s offense efficiently all night.
- Jalen Williams’ hot hand kept the Wolves’ defense guessing and stretched the floor.
- Defensive tweaks in the second half locked down Minnesota’s key scorers when it mattered most.
With Game 5 coming up back in Oklahoma City, the Thunder smell blood. The Timberwolves, down but not out, must regroup fast if they want to keep this from turning into a series closer on the Thunder’s home court.