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Timberwolves vs. Thunder highlights: OKC one win from NBA Finals with 128-126 victory

Cydney Henderson ,  Jordan Mendoza ,  Jeff Zillgitt ,  Heather Tucker   Paste BN
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The Oklahoma City Thunder are one victory from returning to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012.

The Thunder defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, 128-126, in Game 4 on Monday, taking a 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference finals.

The Thunder held off the Timberwolves in the final 2½ minutes with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams providing key makes from the field and the free throw line.

Gilgeous-Alexander was one of three Thunder players with at least 20 points. He scored a game-high 40 points, marking his sixth 30-point game in his past seven outings for the Thunder. He also had 10 assists and nine rebounds and made seven free throws in the final quarter.

Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams had 34 points, five assists and three steals, and Chet Holmgren added 21 points, seven rebounds and three blocks.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 23 points and Donte DiVincenzo had 21 points off the bench for the Timberwolves. Minnesota All-Star Anthony Edwards scored 16 points (1-for-7 on 3s) and Jaden McDaniels scored 22.

Both teams delivered strong offensive performances, shooting better than 50% from the field and 40% on 3-pointers – with the Thunder providing just enough for the victory.

Game 5 is Wednesday in Oklahoma City (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), and the Thunder are in a great spot. Teams that lead a best-of-7 series 3-1 go on to win the series 95.6% of the time (283-13).

Thunder vs. Timberwolves Game 4: Highlights

Final: Thunder 128, Timberwolves 126

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career playoff-high 40 points to lead Oklahoma City within one win of their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012.

End of 3Q: Thunder 90, Timberwolves 85

We may finally have a close finish in the Western Conference finals. 

Oklahoma City felt a step ahead of Minnesota for the majority of the first half, but something changed in the Minnesota locker room at halftime. The Timberwolves were clicking offensively, getting big shots from Donte DiVincenzo. His 3-pointer with four minutes left made it a tie ballgame at 79 as the Target Center crowd was revived. 

However, the Thunder attacked right back and didn’t let the Timberwolves get the lead, something they haven’t had since there were seven minutes left in the first quarter.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to have a stellar game with a game-high 29 points along with seven assists and six rebounds. Jalen Williams has also come up huge with 20 points.

It’s been a relatively quiet night for Anthony Edwards as Lu Dort has made it tough for the Minnesota star to find buckets. He has just 10 points, but the bench has stepped up big for the home team. Nickeil Alexander-Walker has a team-high 16 points and the bench accounts for 43 points. 

Turnovers still remain a problem for Minnesota with 19 while Oklahoma City has given it up 10 times.

Halftime: Thunder 65, Timberwolves 57

Oklahoma City’ MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 13 of his 21 points in the first quarter and Jalen Williams has 15 points as the Thunder took a 65-57 lead into halftime. Gilgeous-Alexander also has six assists, and Chet Holmgren has 10 points and five rebounds.

The Timberwolves remain close despite just four points on two field goal attempts from Anthony Edwards. Jaden McDaniels leads Minnesota in scoring with 12 points. Timberwolves reserve Terrence Shannon Jr., who had played sparingly in the playoffs but excelled in Game 3 with 15 points, had seven points – all in the second quarter – and Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 11 points in the first half for Minnesota.

Both teams are shooting extremely well: Oklahoma City is at 48% from the field and 41.7% on 3-pointers, and Minnesota is at 50% and 44.4%.

Turnovers are once again hurting the Timberwolves who have 13 turnovers and 12 fewer field goal attempts than the Thunder.

End of 1Q: Thunder 37, Timberwolves 30

Oklahoma City has started the contest with a much more aggressive approach than the Game 3 disaster while Minnesota has had issues taking care of the ball after the first 12 minutes.

Both sides were great getting the ball in the bucket as Minnesota was 12-for-19 (63.2%) and Oklahoma City was 14-for-25 (56%). However, the Timberwolves couldn't capitalize to find a rhythm with seven turnovers in the quarter.

The MVP has been playing like one so far with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring or assisting on 24 of the Thunder's first quarter points. He has 13 points and the Thunder have gotten big contributions from Jalen Williams, who has knocked down three 3-pointers and also has 13 points.

Jaden McDaniels led the Timberwolves with 10 points.

John Calipari surprises with Game 4 appearance

Three-time Naismith College Basketball coach of the year John Calipari is attending Game 4. Calipari, who led the Arkansas Razorbacks to the Sweet 16 in his first year as head coach last season, helmed Kentucky from 2009-2024.

While with the Wildcats’ program, he coached Thunder players Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the 2025 NBA MVP, and Cason Wallace and Wolves players Julius Randle and Rob Dillingham. 

Thunder-Timberwolves starting lineups

Thunder

  • Jalen Williams
  • Chet Holmgren
  • Isaiah Hartenstein
  • Lu Dort
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Timberwolves

  • Jaden McDaniels
  • Julius Randle
  • Rudy Gobert
  • Anthony Edwards
  • Mike Conley

Thunder ready to go deep into bench

The Thunder have one of the deepest teams in the league, but in the playoffs, rotations tighten and some reserves might not get as much playing time. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault preaches readiness regardless.

“We try to create an environment and a culture of readiness, and part of the way that you do that, it's by throwing guys in the game,” Daigneault said. “It's one thing to say, ‘Hey, you got to stay ready.’ It's quite another to put your money where your mouth is and throw guys out there and give guys opportunities. Especially like I said, if the game's not going the way that we want it to, we try to shake things up and try to see if we can ignite something.

“Obviously we weren't able to do that the other night, but I think that sets a healthy tone for the team and the more you do that and the more the players see that, even if it's not their number getting called, I think it gets their attention and it reminds them that at any moment you could be called upon and they've done a great job of that. Usually when we do that, we get a pretty good lift from it.”

Timberwolves focused on taking care of the basketball

In Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, the Timberwolves committed 19 turnovers leading to 34 Thunder points. In Game 2, Minnesota had 14 turnovers leading to 22 Oklahoma City points. The Timberwolves lost both games. In Game 3 at home, the Timberwolves turned the basketball over just 10 times for 15 Thunder points and won.

"Hopefully we've learned enough lessons, but they're really good,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch said of the Thunder and their top-ranked defense. "They really force you into tight spots and they swarm you when they get there, so everything's got to be a little bit earlier than you're used to. …

"The faster we play, the quicker our decision-making is. The quicker our decision-making is, the better we are. When we get caught holding or surveying too long or probing or exploring things for ourselves too much, that's when we invite trouble. And this is what this team really thrives on. This OKC defense just feasts on that."

What time is Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder?

Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference finals between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder is set to start at 8:30 p.m. ET, on Monday, May 26.

How to watch Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: TV, stream

  • Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: Target Center (Minneapolis)
  • TV: ESPN
  • Stream: ESPN+, Fubo

Watch Timberwolves vs. Thunder Game 4 on Fubo

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 4 odds

The Oklahoma City Thunder are favored to win Game 4, according to BetMGM.

Odds as of Monday, May 26.

  • Spread: Thunder -3.5
  • Moneyline: Thunder (-150), Timberwolves (+125)
  • Over/under: 218.5

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Western Conference finals schedule

Thunder lead series 3-1

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