Thunder Take Commanding Lead After Nail-Biter in Minneapolis
The Oklahoma City Thunder clearly had something to prove after Game 3’s embarrassing rout. Just two days removed from that 42-point loss, they rolled into a noisy Target Center and snatched a crucial win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, putting themselves one victory from the NBA Finals. This 128-126 shootout wasn’t pretty—it was tense, scrappy, and delivered just about everything you’d want from a playoff showdown.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played the kind of basketball you see from all-time greats in must-win situations. He finished with a monster stat line: 40 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists, barely missing a triple-double. He controlled the pace, made clutch shots, and—when it came down to the wire—sealed the deal with a defensive play. With just two seconds left, Gilgeous-Alexander grabbed the game-securing rebound off his own missed free throw, erasing any hope the Wolves had of a last-second miracle. His performance sent a clear message: this Thunder team isn’t rattled, even when everything is on the line.
The support behind him wasn’t lacking either. Jalen Williams looked locked in, draining 6 of his 9 attempts from deep and finishing with 34 points. Then there was Chet Holmgren, who picked the perfect moment to shine back in his hometown. The rookie center came up with 21 points, 7 boards, and added 3 big blocks that stifled the Timberwolves’ attack in the paint. Williams and Holmgren kept the pressure on Minnesota all night, showing off the “next man up” mentality that’s made the Thunder so tough to handle this season.
Minnesota Pushed to the Brink Despite Edwards' Spark
If you follow the Wolves, you know Anthony Edwards loves the spotlight. He showed up in a big way again, pouring in 31 points and battling for every inch of the court. Edwards pushed Minnesota within striking distance repeatedly—scoring in bunches and keeping the crowd hopeful. But as the minutes ticked down, the Timberwolves just couldn’t find the answers. Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Mike Conley both pitched in with double-digit scoring, but it wasn’t enough to crack Oklahoma City’s determined defense.
The Wolves looked flat-footed defensively, especially when trying to slow OKC’s balanced attack. After surging to the conference finals for the second year in a row, the pressure is now squarely on Edwards and company to avoid bowing out at home in five games. Their defense—solid all year—struggled to contain the Thunder’s effective ball movement and outside shooting. Combine that with foul trouble and missed free throws at critical moments, and it’s clear Minnesota is running out of margin for error.
The energy swings in this series have been wild, and nobody expected the Thunder to bounce back the way they did after such a heavy defeat in Game 3. Their poise, especially from the core group of Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Holmgren, speaks to why they racked up 68 wins during the regular season. With the series heading back to Oklahoma City and the Thunder holding a 3-1 advantage, the Wolves are now up against the wall, needing a miracle turnaround to reach their first NBA Finals.
Basketball fans can’t ignore the stakes for Thursday night’s Game 5. The Oklahoma City Thunder will look to close things out at home, banking on the energy of their crowd and the steely nerves of their young stars. But if Minnesota has a run left in them, it needs to start now. One loss, and one of this year’s most promising teams will see its season end with nothing more than a bitter memory of what could have been.
May 27 2025 0
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