BADLY beaten in Game 3, the Oklahoma City Thunder showed tremendous poise in Game 4 and nipped the Minnesota Timberwolves, 128-126, to inch closer to the NBA Finals on Tuesday (Philippine time), May 27.

Recovering from an ugly 101-143 loss in Game 3, the Thunder surged to a 3-1 lead in the series. They will try to finish off the Wolves and clinch the first NBA Finals seat when they host Game 5 on Thursday, May 29.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put up MVP numbers, leading the Thunder with 40 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. The season’s MVP went 12-of-14 from free throw area, hitting two freebies that gave the Thunder a 128-125 lead with 6.1 seconds left.

It was actually a collective effort for the young Thunder as Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren were also productive. Williams finished with 34 points on 13-for-24 shooting, including 6-of-9 from three-point territory. Holmgren piled up 21 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks in a stellar showing in his hometown.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker came off the bench to lead the Wolves with 23 points while Donte Divincenzo, another reserve, added 21 points. Jaden McDaniels added 22 points while Naz Reid was third Minnesota second stringer who wound up in twin digits with 11.

While the bench produced, Minnesota did’t get much from its usual scorers with Anthony Edwards and starting forward Julius Randle putting up meager outputs.

Edwards scored 16 markers but attempted just 13 shots and made five of them, turning gun shy in the crucial match. Randle was also a non-factor after scoring just five markers on a dismal 1-for-7 shooting from the field.(CCM)

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• #Oklahoma City Thunder
• #Minnesota Timberwolves
• #NBA Finals
• #Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
• #Jalen Williams
• #Chey Homalgren