Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered 40 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists on Monday night as the Oklahoma City Thunder edged the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-126 to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals.
Two nights after a 42-point loss in Game 3, Oklahoma City responded with a complete performance to move within one win of its first NBA Finals appearance since 2012.
Jalen Williams contributed 34 points on 13-for-24 shooting, including 6-of-9 from deep, while Chet Holmgren added 21 points, seven rebounds and three blocks in his return to Minneapolis.
Gilgeous-Alexander hit 12-of-14 free throws, including two clutch makes with 6.1 seconds left to stretch the lead to three.
The Thunder then fouled Anthony Edwards with 3.5 seconds remaining, and after Edwards intentionally missed his second free throw, Gilgeous-Alexander tracked down the rebound and flung it out of bounds, draining the final seconds.
Minnesota’s last-gasp inbounds pass from half court with 0.3 seconds left was intercepted by Williams, sealing the victory and sending the Thunder home for Game 5 on Wednesday with a chance to close the series.
Oklahoma City led for nearly the entire contest, trailing for just 36 seconds in the opening quarter.
The Thunder shot 50.5% from the field, went 16-for-37 from three-point range and forced 23 turnovers while grabbing 11 offensive boards in the first half alone.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Donte DiVincenzo combined for 44 points off the bench for the Timberwolves, each hitting five threes to keep Minnesota within striking distance.
Edwards finished with 16 points on 5-for-13 shooting, while Julius Randle struggled again, scoring five points on 1-of-7 from the floor.
Despite shooting over 51% from the field and knocking down 18 three-pointers, the Timberwolves were unable to overcome Oklahoma City’s energy, shot-making and defense.
The Thunder’s perimeter defense, led by Luguentz Dort, helped contain Edwards and disrupted Minnesota’s half-court sets down the stretch.
With Monday’s win, Oklahoma City improved to 3-2 on the road this postseason, bouncing back from their only road loss in dominant fashion.
Game 5 will be played at Paycom Center, where the Thunder hold a 7-1 record and a +191 point differential in the 2025 playoffs.
A win Wednesday would send the top-seeded Thunder to the NBA Finals, capping off a season that has already exceeded external expectations for the youngest team remaining in the playoffs.
