Shai Gilgeous-Alexander performed like a person possessed as he unleashed a postseason masterpiece Monday evening, pouring in a playoff career-high 40 factors with 10 assists and 9 rebounds to carry the Oklahoma City Thunder previous the Timberwolves 128-126 and one win away from their first NBA Finals since 2012.
“We’re close, but not there yet,” Gilgeous-Alexander stated. “We have to stick to our identity on both ends. If we don’t, it could get ugly.”
The Thunder, main the Western Conference finals 3-1, can punch their ticket to the Finals in Game 5 on Wednesday again in Oklahoma City.
Backed by a fierce effort from Jalen Williams, who drained 34 factors on 6-of-9 taking pictures from past the arc, and Chet Holmgren’s 21-point displaying, Oklahoma City overcame a barrage of unlikely pictures from Minnesota’s bench and a livid late push.
“They were confident. Not rattled at all,” Gilgeous-Alexander stated of his teammates. “I’m proud of these two.”
Minnesota, determined and defiant, threw every part on the Thunder. Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 23 factors and Donte DiVincenzo added 21, whereas Jaden McDaniels chipped in 22. But it wasn’t sufficient to erase the Thunder’s stability and clutch composure.
The Wolves, nonetheless chasing their first NBA Finals look, had been undone by 21 turnovers and surrendering 19 offensive boards – a self-inflicted wound they couldn’t overcome.
“They got 40 more possessions and we lost by two,” stated Anthony Edwards, who was held to 16 factors on 5-of-13 taking pictures. “We can work with that.”
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch didn’t sugarcoat it: “You’re not going to beat a team like that turning it over 20-plus times.”
After getting embarrassed in Game 3 – a 30-point rout, the worst playoff loss in Thunder historical past – Oklahoma City returned with vengeance and grit.
“We had a bad taste in our mouths,” Gilgeous-Alexander stated. “We controlled what we could control.”
From the leap, it was a battle. Oklahoma City stormed to a 37-30 lead within the first quarter behind 13 factors every from Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams. Both groups traded haymakers in what Thunder coach Mark Daigneault referred to as “a brawl from the jump.”
“Those opening minutes were brutal,” he stated. “Physical, relentless – and our guys stood tall.”
Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 21 within the first half as OKC took a 65-57 lead into the break and held on late regardless of Minnesota’s relentless stress.
Jaden McDaniels minimize the hole to 123-121 with a nook three within the last 23 seconds. Gilgeous-Alexander calmly sank two free throws, then matched a Rudy Gobert basket with one other from the road. After buying and selling makes with Naz Reid, the Thunder led 128-125 with 3.5 seconds left.
Edwards was fouled, made the primary, deliberately missed the second – however Gilgeous-Alexander snagged the rebound and flung the ball out of bounds with 0.3 seconds to play.
Minnesota’s final hope fizzled as their desperation inbounds move missed the mark.
“Definitely sucks being that close,” stated Alexander-Walker. “Now we have to play like there’s no tomorrow – because there isn’t.”
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