Thunder storm to 3 1: SGA & Williams lead clutch victory over Wolves

The Oklahoma City Thunder delivered a pivotal performance on Monday night, holding off the Minnesota Timberwolves with a clutch 128-126 victory in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. This hard-fought road win at Target Center now grants Oklahoma City a commanding 3-1 series lead, positioning them just one victory away from an NBA Finals berth.

At the heart of the Thunder's triumph was a sensational display from their star duo. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA's reigning MVP, recorded a playoff career-high 40 points, including crucial free throws in the game's waning seconds that repeatedly extended the Thunder's lead. Not to be outdone, Jalen Williams, recently named third-team All-NBA, contributed a postseason career-high 34 points and five assists, proving to be the difference-maker in the thrilling fourth quarter with 14 points of his own. Chet Holmgren also added 21 points for the Thunder, showcasing their potent offensive firepower.

For the Timberwolves, Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the scoring with 23 points, supported by Jaden McDaniels (22 points) and Donte DiVincenzo (21 points). However, the Thunder's defensive strategy proved highly effective against Minnesota's primary offensive threat, Anthony Edwards. After allowing Edwards a combined 62 points in the previous two games, Oklahoma City implemented a denial-and-delay approach, holding him to a mere 16 points on 5-for-13 shooting. Lu Dort, a recent First-Team All-Defense selection, spearheaded this effort, relentlessly shadowing Edwards and using his elite screen navigation to disrupt his rhythm and force offensive fouls. The collective defensive effort of the Thunder, with higher pickup points and aggressive crowding of airspace, largely stifled Edwards, who didn't attempt his first field goal until late in the opening quarter.

The Timberwolves' offensive struggles were compounded by a high volume of turnovers, committing 23 total in the game, including 13 in a costly first half. These wasted possessions proved detrimental in a tightly contested playoff atmosphere where every margin counts.

On the offensive end, the Thunder's strategic deployment of Jalen Williams alongside Gilgeous-Alexander created significant mismatches. Oklahoma City cleverly used a mix of traditional bigs and smaller guards in screening actions, ensuring Williams could exploit defensive weaknesses, particularly when Minnesota opted to keep slower defenders on guards like Alex Caruso. This allowed Williams ample space to create and innovate, especially in the fourth quarter.

Furthermore, Oklahoma City's "strength in numbers" was on full display. Key reserves such as Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe, and Kenrich Williams made vital contributions to the team's potent three-point shooting, as the Thunder connected on 16 triples at an impressive 43.2% clip. This consistent outside shooting, a hallmark of their season, kept the Timberwolves' defense honest and proved crucial in securing the win.

The Timberwolves' failure to match the Thunder's early intensity and defensive "force," particularly in the first half, ultimately cost them. Despite hitting 11 corner three-pointers, their efforts to correct course in the second half proved too little, too late. With a 3-1 series lead, the Oklahoma City Thunder will now head home for Game 5 on Wednesday night, aiming to clinch their spot in the NBA Finals.