The Oklahoma City Thunder are one win away from advancing to the NBA Finals after a 120-109 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. The Thunder now hold a commanding 3-1 lead in the series, aiming for their first NBA championship since 1979.
Game Highlights
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 34 points.
- Jalen Williams contributed 26 points off the bench.
- The Thunder’s defense was pivotal, successfully "locking down" Anthony Edwards, who scored only 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting, significantly below his season average of over 25 points per game.
Coaches’ Comments
Mark Daigneault (Thunder Head Coach)
- Praised the team’s defensive effort, calling it "a great team effort."
Chris Finch (Timberwolves Head Coach)
- Expressed frustration with officiating, stating that OKC’s defense was overly physical and that few off-ball fouls were called.
- Suggested that officials should penalize OKC players for contact to disrupt their rhythm and potentially put them in foul trouble.
- Noted that Edwards lacked space when driving into traffic, making it difficult for him to score effectively.
Player Performances
- Karl-Anthony Towns had a standout game for Minnesota, scoring a season-high tying 44 points and hitting six three-pointers (15/24 FG).
- Rudy Gobert contributed defensively with 11 total rebounds but struggled with his shooting, going 2-for-8 from beyond the arc.
- For Oklahoma City, Josh Giddey recorded a double-double with 21 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists, despite early struggles against Minnesota’s defense.
Looking Ahead
Giddey emphasized the importance of staying focused during critical moments, stating, "We’re trying to stay locked in. We know we’ve got a chance to make this happen."
Daigneault reflected on the team’s resilience under pressure, saying, "I think we’ve shown some grit and toughness. I think we’ve shown some resilience when things haven’t gone our way."
With one more win needed to secure their spot in the NBA Finals, the Thunder will aim to finish off the Timberwolves at home in the final game of the series on Thursday night.
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