Thunder bounce back to beat T-wolves 128-126 to take 3-1 lead behind SGA’s 40-point game

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — After suffering a lopsided 42-point defeat in Game 3, the Oklahoma City Thunder came back with a vengeance.

Fueled by a spectacular performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the young Thunder took a commanding 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals with a dramatic 128-126 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night. Gilgeous-Alexander delivered an MVP-worthy outing, tallying 40 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists.

Jalen Williams added 34 points on 13-of-24 shooting, including 6-of-9 from three-point range, while Chet Holmgren, playing in his hometown, chipped in 21 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks. The trio’s efforts helped Oklahoma City fend off repeated surges from the Timberwolves, who were desperate to even the series.

Gilgeous-Alexander made 12 of 14 free throws, including two clutch shots with 6.1 seconds remaining to push the lead to three. After Anthony Edwards was fouled with 3.5 seconds left, he missed his second free throw intentionally to try to regain possession. But Gilgeous-Alexander tracked down the ball in the corner and tossed it out of bounds to drain the remaining time.

Minnesota had one last chance with a desperation inbounds pass from half-court with 0.3 seconds left, but Williams intercepted it, sealing the win for the Thunder and setting up a potential series-clinching Game 5 back in Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker (23 points) and Donte DiVincenzo (21 points) kept the Timberwolves in the game, each hitting 5-of-8 from beyond the arc as part of another strong showing from Minnesota’s bench. Still, the Thunder responded every time the Wolves made a run, and they only trailed for 36 seconds—all in the first quarter.

Oklahoma City came out sharp, hitting 11 of their first 17 shots, led by Williams’ early scoring outburst. They also dominated the glass early, grabbing 11 offensive rebounds in the first half alone.

Though the Thunder have been slightly less dominant away from home (7–1 with a +191 point differential at Paycom Center this postseason), they showed grit on the road. Luguentz Dort led a strong defensive effort, helping limit Edwards and Julius Randle, who managed just five points on 1-for-7 shooting. The Thunder also forced 23 turnovers to counter Minnesota’s 64 bench points.

Now, just one win separates the Thunder from a trip to the NBA Finals.