Thunder Leads Timberwolves 3-1 After Game 4 Playoff Win

The Oklahoma City Thunder rebounded from a devastating 42-point loss in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals by narrowly defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-126 in Game 4, taking a commanding 3-1 series lead. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with a playoff career-high 40 points, along with nine rebounds and 10 assists, while Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren also contributed significantly. The Thunder's Game 3 loss was marked by poor shooting, turnovers, and lack of effort, but coach Mark Daigneault and the team made crucial adjustments to recover. For the Timberwolves, their dominant Game 3 victory featured stifling defense and efficient three-point shooting, holding Gilgeous-Alexander to a season-low 14 points, which briefly reignited their confidence. However, Minnesota could not maintain momentum in Game 4 despite strong efforts from bench players, as Oklahoma City set a franchise record for defensive rebounds and survived a late Timberwolves rally. The Thunder now return home with a chance to close out the series, emphasizing the importance of home-court advantage and making necessary improvements, especially in shooting efficiency and ball control.