Gilgeous-Alexander’s Game-Winning Heroics Push Thunder to NBA Finals Edge—But What’s Next?
When Shai Gilgeous-Alexander steps onto the court, you know something special is about to unfold—and boy, did he deliver when the Oklahoma City Thunder faced off against the Minnesota Timberwolves. With a dazzling 40-point showcase, a clutch performance at the line in crunch time, and a symphony of assists and rebounds, Shai didn’t just play; he dominated. The Thunder, trailing after a brutal game three, fought back with grit and heart, taking a crucial 3-1 series lead that inches them frighteningly close to the NBA Finals. Tensions were sky-high, the Timberwolves pushed hard, but Mark Daigneault’s squad held firm in a nail-biter that showcased basketball at its finest. Can you feel the electricity? The suspense? Wednesday night in Oklahoma will be one for the ages as the Thunder look to punch their ticket back to the finals for the first time in over a decade. This is more than a game; it’s a statement. LEARN MORE
“We did a good job of staying in the moment tonight,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.Getty Images
Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist
7 hours ago
The performance of Mark Daigneault’s side was an impressive response to the 143-101 thrashing they suffered in game three.”There’s no secrets. They know how to beat us. We know how to beat them. It’s just about going out there and doing it and who wants it more [and who is] trying to execute it more.
Oklahoma led 65-57 at the break and 90-85 at the end of the third quarter, but had to survive a late Minnesota fightback to take a 3-1 lead in the seven-game series.Victory in game five in Oklahoma on Wednesday (01:30 BST on Thursday) will secure the Thunder a place in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012, where they would face either the Indiana Pacers or the New York Knicks.”We could have been better tonight for sure. Tonight wasn’t perfect, but we gave ourselves a chance… and we got a W.””We obviously had a bad taste in our mouth from the last game, and we just wanted to control the things that we could control tonight. I think staying in the moment was the best way to do so.”We showed that at times throughout this game, but consistency, that’s all it has to be.”Jalen Williams added 34 points on 13-for-24 shooting, while Chet Holmgren finished with 21 points on nine-for-14 shooting.The Timberwolves pushed Oklahoma City all the way, with Nickeil Alexander-Walker scoring 23 points off the bench, Jaden McDaniels contributing 22 points, and Donte DiVincenzo finishing with 21.Gilgeous-Alexander – who scored 40 points, grabbed nine rebounds and provided 10 assists – made five of six free throw attempts in the final 15 seconds to seal a 128-126 victory.”Everything is out there,” Alexander-Walker said.
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