Thunder Survive Late Wolves Surge and Move Within One Win of NBA Finals
Game 4 in Minneapolis barely gave fans time to breathe. You could feel the nerves and urgency all over Target Center on May 26, 2025, as the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves battled for control of the Western Conference Finals. With less than a second remaining, the Timberwolves hurled a desperate lob, but it was too late — the Thunder escaped with a gritty 128-126 win and a Thunder 3-1 lead in the series.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was everywhere. His cool under pressure has turned into his playoff signature, and he racked up key buckets whenever Minnesota tried to build momentum. After the Thunder’s historic 42-point collapse in Game 3, most expected the home crowd to fuel a full Timberwolves rebound. Yet OKC’s young core seemed unfazed, tightening up on defense and answering every tough Minnesota run with big shots down the stretch.
Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns tried to will the Timberwolves back, pouring in points and drawing fouls. With five minutes left, Minnesota cut a double-digit Thunder lead down to just one. But instead of breaking, Oklahoma City found answers. Chet Holmgren made crucial stops in the paint, Jalen Williams slipped through defenders for acrobatic finishes, and the rookies on the Thunder roster refused to look overwhelmed on the road.
Pressure ramped up as the fourth quarter clock ticked down. When Jaden McDaniels hit a huge three with under a minute left, Target Center erupted. But every time the Timberwolves got within striking distance, Oklahoma City calmly executed out of timeouts, getting Gilgeous-Alexander or Williams a good look at the basket. As the buzzer sounded, the tension exploded — while Minnesota’s last lob attempt inched towards the rim, a chorus of home fans held their breath, watched it clang harmlessly away, and exhaled in frustration.
Young Thunder Write New Chapter After Bounce-Back Game
Let’s be real: not many expected such poise from the Thunder after their epic meltdown in Game 3. They flipped the script entirely 48 hours later. The stat sheet glowed with Shai’s numbers, but the story ran deeper than a single star performance. Simply put, OKC’s ball movement, hustle for loose balls, and relentless energy set the tone. Every time Minnesota got the crowd roaring, the Thunder punched back—even stretching the lead just as the Timberwolves looked ready to pounce.
This squad, still one of the youngest in Conference Finals history, is now on the verge of its first NBA Finals appearance since 2012. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves—themselves a fresh-faced bunch—find their season suddenly on life support. With Game 5 shifting back to Oklahoma City, the Thunder hold all the momentum and the comfort of their passionate home crowd behind them.
For Minnesota, every defensive stop and clutch shot will be magnified—it’s do or die. If the Timberwolves want to extend their dream run, they’ll need to regroup fast, find another gear, and shake off this stinging loss. Expect fireworks, tough possessions, and stars put on the spot. The next game will determine if the Thunder’s fairytale season gets a storybook ending or if the Wolves have one last howl left in them.
