Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 40-run innings ensured a thrilling fourth game...
😋Wolves fans chant free-throw merchant slogans at SGA...
On Monday night, the Thunder's active defense and efficient offense returned to form in a thrilling 128-126 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. The win moved Oklahoma City to a 3-1 series lead and just one win away from a trip to the NBA Finals.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with a career-high 40 points in the playoffs. Anthony Edwards had just 16 points for the Timberwolves. The Thunder will have a chance to clinch the series at home in Game 5 on Wednesday night.
Active Thunder outscored the Timberwolves by
Oklahoma City led early with seven turnovers and took a 37-30 lead at halftime. Edwards didn't attempt his first field goal until 35.1 seconds left in the quarter. Edwards and Julius Randle missed a chance to tie the series, which was a sign of things to come.
😇 This is why he is called the free-throw merchant...
Minnesota kept its offensive distance, as the offense was effective when the ball was not turned over. The Timberwolves shot 51.2% from the field and 18 of 41 (43.9%) from 3-point range.
Nickel Alexander-Walker (23 points, 5 of 8 on 3-pointers) and Donte DiVincenzo (21 points, 5 of 8 on 3-pointers) came off the bench to keep the Timberwolves in the game until the fourth quarter. But the Thunder's relentless attack and the Timberwolves' 21 turnovers ultimately proved to be of little use to Minnesota.
Minnesota's multiple runs failed Thunder.
Minnesota had multiple opportunities to take the lead in a game that Oklahoma City controlled. DiVincenzo's 3-pointer tied the score at 79-79 after an 11-2 run in the third quarter. But every time the Timberwolves threatened, the Thunder responded, this time going on an 8-0 Run to regain control.
💪Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder are just one win away from the NBA Finals...
Minnesota threatened again late in the fourth quarter, finishing with a 111-109 lead. But the Thunder extended the lead to 116-109, leading to Jalen Williams making a 3-pointer with two seconds left and Gilgeous-Alexander making a 5-pointer, using the ball on a drop pass from Jaden McDaniels.
Gilgeous-Alexander then made five free throws in the final 14.5 seconds of the game to break Minnesota's last gasp. The Thunder repeatedly denied the Timberwolves' 3-pointers, and in the final moments of the gam,e to tie the game, Minnesota went to the free-throw line, a strategy that paid off.
The stars are shining
Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Chet Holmgren set the tone for Oklahoma City's offense. Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander each scored 13 points in the first quarter and had 36 points at halftime.
👌Yes, this is the Chet Holmgren who is finally going to be an All-Star...
Gilgeous-Alexander had 40 points to go with 10 assists and nine rebounds. Williams had 34 points, five assists, and three steals. Holmgren, a two-way player, added 21 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks and hit several big shots.
As a result, Minnesota's top players failed to match the extraordinary efforts of OKC's stars.
Thunder lock up Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle for
Edwards's lack of activity on offense was no accident.
OKC designated stopper and first-team All-Defensive Team selection Luguentz Dort led the Thunder in limiting Edwards' appearances, resulting in just two shot attempts and four points before halftime. He was a non-factor on offense as Oklahoma City took control early in the game.
😀😀Oklahoma City Thunder vs Minnesota Timberwolves Full Game 4 Highlights
By the end of the game, Edwards had attempted just 13 field goals, totaling 16 points and six assists. He was 5-of-13 from the field and 1-of-5 from 3-of-7.
Randle played a less important role, finishing with five points and seven rebounds on a 1-of-7 night from the field. He missed all three of his 3-point attempts.
That left McDaniels as the starting unit's leading scorer with 22 points. It was his efforts and those of Minnesota's bench that kept the game in the Thunder's favor.
👍 Anthony Edwards Reacts to Game 4 Loss vs OKC Thunder, Full Postgame Interview
Fans continued to taunt SGA with the label "Free-Throw Merchant." As usual, Gilgeous-Alexander did a great job at the free-throw line and repeatedly fouled Minnesota defenders.
At one point after Rudy Gobert's foul, ESPN's Doris Burke quipped, "That's why they call him the Free-Throw Merchant."
Aware of Gilgeous-Alexander's fouling propensity, Timberwolves fans lined up to greet him with chants of "Free-Throw Merchant."
In the end, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 12 of his 40 points from the free throw line. His 14 free-throw attempts accounted for 2/3 of Oklahoma City's 21 points. Fittingly, he finished the game by scoring Oklahoma City's final five points at the stripe.
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