Thunder One Win Away from NBA Finals After Game 4 Thriller
The Oklahoma City Thunder silenced critics with a heart-stopping 128-126 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, taking a commanding 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference Finals. In a game that had all the drama and intensity befitting a potential Finals preview, Jalen Williams delivered the performance of his young career, dropping a playoff career-high 34 points to answer lingering questions about OKC’s championship-caliber supporting cast.
This victory didn’t just put the Thunder on the brink of their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012 – it served notice that their young core has arrived ahead of schedule. Against a physical, defensive-minded Timberwolves team that had just handed them their worst playoff loss in franchise history (a 27-point drubbing in Game 3), the Thunder responded with the poise of veterans, led by their emerging star in Williams.
Jalen Williams: From Scrutiny to Stardom
The narrative surrounding Oklahoma City all season had been simple: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is an MVP candidate, but do the Thunder have enough secondary scoring to win a championship? In Game 4, Williams didn’t just answer that question – he obliterated it with a performance that showcased his complete offensive arsenal.
Historic Performance Breakdown
34 points on 13-of-24 shooting (54.2 FG%)
6-of-9 from three-point range (66.7 3P%)
14 fourth-quarter points when the game hung in the balance
+8 plus/minus in 41 minutes of action
What made Williams’ night truly special wasn’t just the numbers, but the timing and manner of his buckets. With the Thunder clinging to a 2-point lead late in the fourth quarter, Williams connected on back-to-back three pointers off feeds from Gilgeous-Alexander – the second coming with 1:27 remaining that essentially sealed the game.
“I feel like if you’re not really good, you’re probably not going to have any [scrutiny], so just play with it, just keep going,” Williams said postgame with the confidence of a player who’s arrived on the big stage. “I know that many of the people who are talking about me can’t do what I do. That gives me a lot of confidence to just go out there and do whatever the team needs.”
Game 4 Breakdown: Anatomy of a Statement Win
First Quarter: Setting the Tone
Williams came out aggressively from the opening tip, scoring 13 points in the first quarter on 5-of-7 shooting. His early explosion served two critical purposes:
It forced Minnesota to adjust their defensive gameplan
It took pressure off Gilgeous-Alexander, who had struggled with his shot early
The Thunder raced out to a 34-28 lead after one, establishing the up-tempo pace that would favor them all night.
Middle Quarters: Weathering the Storm
Minnesota made their expected runs, led by Anthony Edwards’ 32 points and Karl-Anthony Towns’ 25. But unlike in Game 3, where the Thunder folded under pressure, Williams and company responded to every Minnesota surge:
Second Quarter: When the Wolves took a brief lead, Williams hit a step-back three to regain momentum
Third Quarter: His defensive effort (2 steals) helped fuel transition opportunities
Fourth Quarter: Took over with 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting
Crunch Time Execution
The final five minutes showcased why this Thunder team is different from previous iterations:
7:32 remaining: Williams drives baseline for reverse layup (OKC +4)
5:11: Catch-and-shoot three from left wing (OKC +5)
3:45: Euro-step finish through contact (OKC +3)
1:27: Clutch three-pointer from top of key (OKC +5)
“He was special,” Gilgeous-Alexander said afterward. “He was really good tonight from the beginning to the end. He picked his spots great. He was aggressive. He stepped into everything. He was who he is. He’s gotten all these awards for good reason. He proved it tonight.”
Supporting Cast Steps Up
While Williams stole the show, Oklahoma City’s much-discussed depth played a crucial role:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Near-Triple Double
40 points (playoff career-high)
9 rebounds
10 assists
Despite “off” shooting night (13/30 FG), controlled game when it mattered
Chet Holmgren’s Two-Way Impact
21 points (9 in fourth quarter)
3 blocks, including crucial stop on Edwards late
Stretched floor with 2 three-pointers
Role Player Contributions
Lu Dort: Lockdown defense on Edwards in final possessions
Isaiah Joe: 10 points off bench, including two momentum threes
Aaron Wiggins: +12 in 18 minutes
The Turning Point: Williams’ Redemption Arc
This performance didn’t come out of nowhere for Williams. His Game 4 explosion was the culmination of a postseason journey that has seen him grow from promising young player to legitimate star:
Overcoming Adversity
2023 Playoffs: Shot just 39% in Thunder’s elimination vs. Dallas
2024 Conference Semis: Endured 10-of-43 shooting slump over three games
Game 7 vs. Denver: Broke out with 24 points on 10/17 shooting
Adjusting to Playoff Physicality
After being held to 13 points on 3-of-9 shooting in Game 3, Williams made critical adjustments:
Attacked closeouts more aggressively
Used his 6’6″ frame to create space in mid-range
Didn’t settle for contested jumpers
“He’s still learning. He’s a young player still, and these are rich experiences for him,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “Tonight, he just kind of took what they gave him. He kept finding his cracks. He’s still able to get in both directions, but he just was in control most of the time. He never seemed sped up.”
Historical Context
The Thunder’s young trio made history with their Game 4 performance:
Record-Setting Night
95 combined points by Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, Holmgren (most by Thunder trio in playoff history)
First team since 2018 Warriors with two players scoring 34+ in conference finals
Williams (24) and Holmgren (22) became youngest duo with 20+ points in WCF game since Durant/Westbrook
Franchise Implications
On verge of first Finals appearance since 2012
Could become youngest team to make Finals since 2011 Thunder
Williams joining rare air as third-year player leading team to Finals
What’s Next for the Thunder?
Closeout Opportunity
With Game 5 returning to Oklahoma City, the Thunder have multiple advantages:
Loudest home crowd in playoffs (106.7 decibel average)
5-0 record following losses this postseason
Minnesota’s morale potentially shattered after blowing late lead
Long-Term Outlook
Regardless of how this series ends, the Thunder’s future looks blindingly bright:
Core of SGA (25), Williams (23), Holmgren (22)
$30M in cap space this offseason
15 first-round picks through 2030
“It still has so much more room to grow, which is the scary part,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I’m 26, which seems old. Their ages are 23 and 24. They haven’t even gotten close to hitting their prime yet. Both of them are just out there playing on feel and their talent. I’m excited for the future.”
Williams’ Mature Perspective
Despite the personal accolades and team success, Williams remains focused on the immediate task:
“I try not to get too ahead of myself with it, to be honest,” Williams said. “There’s still a lot of series left. We still have to go do a job this next game against a team that’s very good. So, that’s honestly how I think about it. I think after the season, whenever that is, I’ll be able to reflect on it, and that’s more the time to enjoy it.”
This measured approach reflects the culture Daigneault has instilled – one that has the Thunder one win away from basketball’s biggest stage.
Conclusion: A Star is Born
Jalen Williams’ Game 4 performance wasn’t just a breakout – it was an announcement that the Thunder have arrived as legitimate title contenders. His ability to rise to the occasion when his team needed him most suggests Oklahoma City isn’t just building for the future; their future might be now.
As the series shifts back to OKC for Game 5, all eyes will be on whether Williams can maintain this level and cement his place among the NBA’s rising stars. One thing is certain: the questions about Oklahoma City’s supporting cast have been answered emphatically.