The Oklahoma City Thunder faced the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road Monday night in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, aiming to recover from a heavy loss in Game 2. They succeeded in a tightly contested matchup by narrowly defeating Minnesota 128-126, establishing a commanding 3-1 series lead with a chance to close out the series at home in Game 5 on Wednesday.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s Historic Performance Leads the Way

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander spearheaded the Thunder’s offense with a spectacular performance, finishing the game with 40 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists. This effort placed him in elite company, as he became only the fourth player in NBA playoff history to record at least 40 points, five rebounds, and 10 assists in a Western Conference Finals game. His display solidified his status as the NBA MVP and highlighted his continued ascent in the playoffs.

Supporting Cast Contributes Strongly for the Thunder

Alongside Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams contributed 34 points, three rebounds, and five assists, while rookie Chet Holmgren added 21 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks, showcasing the team’s growing depth. The combined efforts of these key players have been essential in the Thunder’s resilient postseason run.

Thunder Poised to Close Out Series on Home Court

With the series lead now firmly in their grasp, the Thunder prepare to return to Oklahoma City for Game 5. A win at home would clinch their advancement to the NBA Finals. This pivotal moment sets the stage for the team to leverage their strong performances and depth to reach the championship series for the first time in years.

“On Monday, Shai became just the fourth player in NBA playoff history to record 40 or more points, five or more rebounds and 10 or more assists in the Western Conference Finals.”

—Unnamed Source