Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sheds tears in her MVP speech
NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s acceptance speech changes emotionally in honor of his wife
The Oklahoma City Thunder is 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 to take a 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference Finals.
The Thunder postponed the Timberwolves in the final two and a half minutes as Shy Gilgauss Alexander and Jalen Williams earn keys 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 and marked Thunder’s sixth 30-point game with the past seven outs. He also had 10 assists and nine rebounds, making seven free throws in the final quarter.
Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams scored 34 points, five assists and three steals, while Chet Holmgren added 21 points, seven rebounds and three blocks.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 23 points and Donte Divincenzo scored 21 points from the Timberwolves bench. Minnesota All-Star Anthony Edwards scored 16 points (1-7 in 3 seconds) while Jaden McDaniels scored 22.
Both teams provided strong offensive performances, shooting more than 50% off the field and more than 40% with 3-pointers.
Game 5 is in Oklahoma City (EST, 8:30pm) on Wednesday, with Lightning in a fantastic location. The team leading the top 7 series 3-1 will win 95.6% of the series time (283-13).
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career playoff high 40 points to lead Oklahoma City in one win in his first NBA Finals appearance since 2012.
We may finally have a close finish in the Western Conference Finals.
Oklahoma City felt a step ahead of Minnesota for most of the first half, but something changed in the Minnesota locker room at halftime. The Timberwolves clicked offensively and had a big shot from Donte Divinsenzo. His three pointer with 4 minutes left became a tieball game at 79 as the target center crowd revived.
However, the Thunder attacked quickly and did not let the Timberwolves get a lead. This is something they didn’t have as they had seven minutes in the first quarter.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues his fantastic game with seven assists and six rebounds plus a game-high 29 points. Jalen Williams was also huge with 20 points.
It was a relatively quiet night for Anthony Edwards, as Minnesota stars were becoming more difficult to find a bucket. He has only 10 points, but the bench is bigger for the home team. Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored a team high of 16 points, with 43 points on the bench.
While Oklahoma City has given it 10 times, turnovers still remain a problem for Minnesota at 19.
Oklahoma City ‘MVP Shy Gilgauss Alexander scored 13 of 21 points in the first quarter, while Jalen Williams scored 15 points at halftime with the Thunder taking a 65-57 lead. Gilgeous-Alexander also has six assists, while Chet Holmgren has 10 points and 5 rebounds.
Despite just four points on two field goal attempts from Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves remain close. Jaden McDaniels leads Minnesota with 12 points. Timberwolves Reserve Terrence Shannon Jr. played modestly in the playoffs, but was excellent in Game 3 with 15 points, but scored seven points in the second quarter, with Nickaire Alexander Walker earning 11 points in the first half for Minnesota.
Both teams film very well. Oklahoma City is 48% from the field, 41.7% on three-pointers, while Minnesota is 50% and 44.4%.
The turnover is once again hurting Timberwolf, who has 13 sales and 12 field goal attempts than lightning.
Oklahoma City launched the contest with a much more aggressive approach than the Game 3 disaster, but Minnesota has the trouble of caring for the ball after the first 12 minutes.
Both sides got the ball in the bucket, as Minnesota is 19-12 (63.2%) and Oklahoma City is 25-14 (56%). However, the Timberwolves were unable to capitalize to find a rhythm with seven turnovers this quarter.
The MVP has played like one so far in the scoring or supporting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 24 points in the first quarter of Thunder. He has 13 points and the Thunder is a major contribution from Jalen Williams, who knocked down three three-pointers and scored 13 points.
Jaden McDaniels led the Timberwolves by 10 points.
Three-time Nice Smith College Basketball Coach of the Year John Calipari is in Game 4, which led the Arkansas Razorbacks to the Sweet 16 as head coach last season.
In the Wildcats program, he coached Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Thunder Players, 2025 NBA MVP, and players from Cason Wallace and Wolves Julius Randle and Rob Dillingham.
thunder
- Jalen Williams
- Chet Holmgren
- Isaiah Hertenstein
- lu sleeps
- Shy Gilgaus Alexander
Timberwolves
- Jaden McDaniels
- Julius Randle
- Rudy Gobert
- Anthony Edwards
- Mike Conley
The Thunder has one of the deepest teams in the league, but the playoffs have a stronger rotation and some reserves may not get much playing time. Thunder coach Mark Deann, regardless, prep will be conducted.
“We’re trying to create a culture of environment and preparation and create a part of how we do that. It’s throwing people into the game,” says Daigneault. “It’s one thing to say, ‘Hey, you have to be prepared.’ Put your money where you have your mouth, throw the guys like I said, and if the game isn’t going as we want, we’ll try to shake things up and see if we can set something on fire.
“Obviously we couldn’t do that the other day, but I think it sets a healthy tone for the team. And even if the players aren’t called their number, it can get their attention and you can call and it can do a great job.
In Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, the Timberwolves committed 19 turnovers leading to 34 lightning 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 won by spinning basketball just over 10 times with 15 lightning points.
“Hopefully we’ve learned enough lessons, but they’re really good,” Minnesota manager Chris Finch said of lightning and their top-ranked defense. “They really push you into tight places and crowd you up when they get there, so it has to be a little faster than you’re used to.
“The faster we play, the faster we make decisions. The faster we make, the better we get. This brings trouble when we investigate, investigate, or explore too much for ourselves.
What time is the Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder?
Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference Finals between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder is scheduled to begin on Monday, May 26th at 8:30pm.
How to watch Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: TV, Stream
- time: 8:30pm
- position: Target Center (Minneapolis)
- tv set: ESPN
- stream: ESPN+, Fubo
Watch Timberwolves vs. Thunder Game 4 on Fubo
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 4 Odds
According to BetMgm, the Oklahoma City Thunder prefers to win Game 4.
As of Monday, May 26th.
- Spread it: Thunder-3.5
- Money Line: Thunder (-150), Timberwolves (+125)
- Over/Under:218.5
Thunder Lead Series 3-1
- Game 1, May 20th: Thunder 114, Timberwolves 88
- Game 2, May 22nd: Thunder 118, Timberwolves 103
- Game 3, May 24th: Timberwolves 143, Thunder 101
- Game 4, May 26th: Thunder 128, Timberwolves 126
- Game 5, May 28th: Timberwolve of Thunder | ESPN, 8:30pm
- Game 6, May 30th: Timberwolves Lightning | ESPN, 8:30pm*
- Game 7, June 1st: Timberwolve of Thunder | ESPN, 8pm*
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