It came down to the final seconds of the fourth quarter, but it was not enough.
The Minnesota Timberwolves fell just short of getting the win in Game 4 losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder 128-126.
The Wolves tried catching the Thunder right at the end of the game, but clutch free throw shooting from Thunder MVP-winner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put the game just out of reach to secure the win and take a 3-1 lead as the series shifts back to Oklahoma City for Game 5.
Contrary to the first 2 games of the series the Minnesota bench was a highlight of the night for the Wolves with Donte DiVencenzo, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Naz Reid combining for 55 points, but it was the Wolves’ two main stars who were quiet and ineffective. Anthony Edwards who was a human highlight reel in Game 3, was quiet and again missing a lot of the shots he should’ve, finished with just 16 points, and Julius Randle who was the go-to scorer when Edwards was quiet finished with only 5 points on the night.
Turnovers and sloppy defense also contributed to the Wolves tough loss on the night. The Wolves turned the ball over 23 times to the Thunder, as well were caught in many offensive plays that opened up wide open shots or slam dunks for OKC to extend the lead.
OKC’s starters rebounded after a tough Game 3, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with a career playoff high 40 points, as well as Jalen Williams finishing with 34 points, and big man down under Chet Holmgren with 21 points including key points scored in the fourth quarter.
With the loss, the Timberwolves find themselves in a deficit down 3-1 as the series will now shift to Oklahoma City for Game 5, and a chance for the Thunder to advance to the finals for the first time since 2011-2012, and take out the Timberwolves.
Game 5 will be this Wednesday.
Photo Credit: NBA, The Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA Players Association
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