Thunder Seize 3-1 Lead in Wild Game 4 as SGA Drops 40 on Timberwolves

• by Arlen Fitzpatrick
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Thunder Take Commanding Series Lead After Nail-Biter in Minnesota

The Oklahoma City Thunder just flipped the Western Conference Finals on its head. After getting throttled by 42 points in Game 3, nobody expected the Thunder to look so composed in enemy territory—but that's exactly what happened as the buzzer sounded on a 128-126 OKC win. A 3-1 series lead never looked so sweet—or so hard-fought.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s been remarkable all postseason, cranked his game up another level with a jaw-dropping 40-point night. Whether he was weaving through traffic, pulling up from midrange, or slicing to the rim, he simply couldn't be contained. His performance ripped the soul out of a Timberwolves defense that just a few days ago looked like it had all the answers.

Anthony Edwards, only 22 but playing like a seasoned star, answered with his own barrage of tough buckets to keep the Timberwolves hanging around. At times, Edwards put the entire city of Minneapolis on his back—bulldozing past defenders, launching threes, and demanding the ball when the game was tightest. But even with Ant going nuclear, it wasn't enough to slow the Thunder momentum late.

Resilience, Role Players, and What’s Next

This one wasn’t just about the stars. Jaylen Williams did the dirty work and chipped in 15 points, dancing on the baseline and fighting for loose balls when every possession mattered most. Dante DiVincenzo brought his New York streetball fire, drilling early threes that got OKC humming from the jump. He only finished with 11, but his timely buckets lit a spark just when things teetered.

Minnesota had its moments. Naz Reid came off the bench with ice in his veins, splashing shots from deep and stretching the Thunder defense just enough to tee up a wild finish. His contribution kept the Timberwolves one punch away from flipping the script. Yet when it got tense, OKC executed their sets with surgical precision, finding open shooters and forcing Minnesota into tough, last-second shots.

The defensive grind was relentless. Every trip down the floor felt like a battle—Marcus Smart hounding Minnesota’s guards, Chet Holmgren changing shots at the rim, and the Timberwolves swarming on OKC pick-and-rolls. Still, it was those final minutes where nerves started to show. The Thunder kept their poise and drained free throws down the stretch, while Minnesota’s late rally fell just short.

Now, the Timberwolves sit with their backs to the wall. They need a miracle in Game 5 to stay alive, and the Thunder can feel the Finals within reach. One more win, and the NBA’s youngest contender will complete a stunning turnaround after their Game 3 disaster. All eyes are on the next tip-off—because if this series has shown anything, it’s that nobody is out until the last horn sounds.