Thunder Take 3-1 WCF Lead Over Timberwolves with Game 4 Win

The Minnesota Timberwolves suffered a narrow 128-126 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals, falling behind 3-1 in the series. Despite shooting efficiently with over 51% from the field and nearly 44% from three-point range, the Timberwolves' 21 turnovers and poor defensive rebounding—allowing the Thunder 19 offensive boards—proved costly. The Thunder capitalized on these mistakes with 24 second-chance points and 22 points off turnovers, offsetting Minnesota’s offensive prowess. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch emphasized that the team's mindset and execution, especially early in the game with seven first-quarter turnovers, were critical failings. Minnesota now faces a pivotal Game 5 in Oklahoma City, where they must reduce turnovers and improve defensive consistency to stay competitive in the series. This game highlighted that superior shooting statistics alone are insufficient without disciplined ball control and defense in high-stakes matchups.