Thunder Bounce Back With a Statement Win
Basketball fans came into Game 4 expecting an all-out slugfest, but no one could have predicted just how intense things would get in Minneapolis. After getting absolutely steamrolled by 42 points in Game 3, the Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t mope—they struck back. And did they ever. Oklahoma City rallied behind an electric performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who led all scorers with 40 points, nearly notching a triple-double with 10 assists and 9 rebounds. The Thunder found their groove and ran Minnesota ragged, taking home a 128-126 victory that puts them just one win away from the NBA Finals.
Even after a lopsided defeat two nights before, OKC looked anything but defeated in front of a rowdy Target Center crowd. Instead, every Thunder possession had purpose. Jalen Williams found his range early and often. Williams dropped 34 points, torching the Timberwolves from deep by hitting 6 of his 9 shots from beyond the arc. His steady hand on the perimeter was exactly what OKC needed to shake off memories of Game 3’s disaster.
Late-Game Drama and Another Thunder Star Emerges
With the Thunder humming offensively, Minnesota still refused to fold. Nickeil Alexander-Walker stepped up big for the Timberwolves, leading his squad with 23 points and handing out 6 assists. Every time the Thunder looked ready to pull away, the Timberwolves clawed back—punctuating the night with clutch shots and momentum-swinging defensive stops. Yet, as the fourth quarter reached fever pitch, it was Oklahoma City’s poise that made the difference.
The Timberwolves had their hands full defending Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams. Williams’ shooting in particular forced Minnesota into tough rotations, opening driving lanes and putting constant stress on the defense. Whenever Alexander-Walker and the Timberwolves chipped away at the lead, the Thunder answered. Even with Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns working hard to keep Minnesota alive, the visitors kept making the right play at the right time, pushing the game out of reach in the final moments—even as Minnesota mounted a furious last-minute charge.
What really set the Thunder apart was their mental toughness. After facing a humiliating defeat just 48 hours before, they could have given in to pressure. Instead, they locked in defensively when it mattered, forced Minnesota into tough mid-range looks late, and found scoring from role players when their stars were temporarily bottled up. The bench didn’t light up the stat sheet, but they provided key minutes that allowed the starters to finish strong.
Now Oklahoma City stands just a single win away from their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012. With the Thunder seizing momentum and Minnesota up against the wall, Game 5 is shaping up to be a can’t-miss clash. For fans hoping for fireworks and storylines, the Western Conference Finals have given them both in spades.
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