Thunder One Win Away from NBA Finals After Thrilling Game 4 Victory Over Timberwolves.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are just one step away from the NBA Finals after a thrilling 128-126 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. With this victory on Monday night, the Thunder now lead the series 3-1 and are in a strong position to return to the Finals for the first time since 2012.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Shines Again

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander proved once again why he is the 2025 NBA MVP. He delivered a playoff career-high 40 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds. He stepped up big in the final quarter, making seven free throws and several clutch plays to help his team hold off a late Timberwolves push. Gilgeous-Alexander has now scored 30 or more points in six of his last seven playoff games, showing why he’s one of the most dangerous players in the league.

Supporting Cast Comes Up Big

Jalen Williams also had a huge game for Oklahoma City, scoring 34 points, dishing out five assists, and grabbing three steals. His energy and shot-making were key all night. Rookie big man Chet Holmgren added 21 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks, making his presence felt on both ends of the court.

The Thunder looked sharp from the very beginning, scoring 37 points in the first quarter. They were aggressive and focused, unlike Game 3 when they struggled. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 13 points in the opening quarter and was involved in nearly every scoring play either by scoring himself or setting up teammates.

Timberwolves Fight Back but Fall Short

The Timberwolves didn’t go down without a fight. Despite trailing for most of the game and never leading after the seven-minute mark in the first quarter, they kept the score close. Donte DiVincenzo gave the team a big boost off the bench, scoring 21 points and hitting a huge three-pointer that tied the game at 79 in the third quarter. Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Timberwolves with 23 points and also played strong defense throughout.

Minnesota All-Star Anthony Edwards had a quiet night, scoring just 16 points and struggling from the three-point line (1-for-7). Lu Dort’s tough defense made it hard for Edwards to find good looks. Jaden McDaniels stepped up with 22 points, and the Timberwolves' bench played a major role by scoring 43 points overall.

Even though the Timberwolves shot better than 50% from the field and 44.4% from three-point range, they were hurt by 13 turnovers and 12 fewer shot attempts than the Thunder. Oklahoma City’s defense once again made things difficult for Minnesota’s offense by swarming ball handlers and forcing quick decisions.

Halftime and Momentum Swings

The Thunder led 65-57 at halftime thanks to a strong start. Gilgeous-Alexander had 21 points and six assists by then, while Jalen Williams added 15 points. Holmgren chipped in with 10 points and five rebounds.

Minnesota showed signs of life in the second half, with DiVincenzo and Alexander-Walker making big plays. Terrence Shannon Jr. also added seven points in the second quarter after barely playing in the earlier games of the series. But no matter how close the Timberwolves came, the Thunder always had an answer.

Looking Ahead to Game 5

Game 5 will take place in Oklahoma City on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. With a 3-1 lead, the Thunder are in a great spot—historically, NBA teams that lead 3-1 in a best-of-seven series go on to win the series 95.6% of the time.

The Thunder are playing with confidence and chemistry, and their defense continues to give the Timberwolves problems. If Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his teammates keep up this level of play, Oklahoma City could soon be back in the NBA Finals for the first time in over a decade.

With a loud home crowd behind them and momentum on their side, the Thunder will be looking to close out the series and punch their ticket to the biggest stage in basketball.