Timberwolves vs Thunder live scores, updates from NBA playoff Game 4

4 weeks agoLast Updated: May 27, 2025

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Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tears up in MVP speech

NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s acceptance speech turns emotional as pay tribute to his wife

The Minnesota Timberwolves are on the board.

The Timberwolves defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 143-101 in Game 3 on Saturday to win their first game of the Western Conference finals and cut the deficit to 2-1 in the series. Can Minnesota replicate Saturday’s effort in Game 4 on Monday to tie the series before it shifts back to Oklahoma City?

Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves will have to find a way to slow Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was named the 2025 NBA MVP. Through the first three games of the Western Conference finals, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 27.7 points, 7.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds vs. the Timberwolves.

Minnesota is not only vying for its first NBA championship, the Timberwolves are also looking for their first NBA Finals appearance. The Thunder last appeared in the NBA Finals in 2012, but the franchise has not won an NBA championship in Oklahoma City. (The Seattle SuperSonics won a title in 1979 before the franchise was renamed and relocated in 2008.)

Oklahoma City’ MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 13 of his 21 points in the first quarter and Jalen Williams has 15 points as the Thunder took a 65-57 lead into halftime. Gilgeous-Alexander also has six assists, and Chet Holmgren has 10 points and five rebounds.

The Timberwolves remain close despite just four points on two field goal attempts from Anthony Edwards. Jaden McDaniels leads Minnesota in scoring with 12 points. Timberwolves reserve Terrence Shannon Jr., who had played sparingly in the playoffs but excelled in Game 3 with 15 points, had seven points – all in the second quarter – and Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 11 points in the first half for Minnesota.

Both teams are shooting extremely well: Oklahoma City is at 48% from the field and 41.7% on 3-pointers, and Minnesota is at 50% and 44.4%.

Turnovers are once again hurting the Timberwolves who have 13 turnovers and 12 fewer field goal attempts than the Thunder.

Oklahoma City has started the contest with a much more aggressive approach than the Game 3 disaster while Minnesota has had issues taking care of the ball after the first 12 minutes.

Both sides were great getting the ball in the bucket as Minnesota was 12-for-19 (63.2%) and Oklahoma City was 14-for-25 (56%). However, the Timberwolves couldn’t capitalize to find a rhythm with seven turnovers in the quarter.

The MVP has been playing like one so far with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring or assisting on 24 of the Thunder’s first quarter points. He has 13 points and the Thunder have gotten big contributions from Jalen Williams, who has knocked down three 3-pointers and also has 13 points.

Jaden McDaniels led the Timberwolves with 10 points.

Three-time Naismith College Basketball coach of the year John Calipari is attending Game 4. Calipari, who led the Arkansas Razorbacks to the Sweet 16 in his first year as head coach last season, helmed Kentucky from 2009-2024.

While with the Wildcats’ program, he coached Thunder players Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the 2025 NBA MVP, and Cason Wallace and Wolves players Julius Randle and Rob Dillingham.

Thunder

Jalen Williams
Chet Holmgren
Isaiah Hartenstein
Lu Dort
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Timberwolves

Jaden McDaniels
Julius Randle
Rudy Gobert
Anthony Edwards
Mike Conley

The Thunder have one of the deepest teams in the league, but in the playoffs, rotations tighten and some reserves might not get as much playing time. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault preaches readiness regardless.

“We try to create an environment and a culture of readiness, and part of the way that you do that, it’s by throwing guys in the game,” Daigneault said. “It’s one thing to say, ‘Hey, you got to stay ready.’ It’s quite another to put your money where your mouth is and throw guys out there and give guys opportunities. Especially like I said, if the game’s not going the way that we want it to, we try to shake things up and try to see if we can ignite something.

“Obviously we weren’t able to do that the other night, but I think that sets a healthy tone for the team and the more you do that and the more the players see that, even if it’s not their number getting called, I think it gets their attention and it reminds them that at any moment you could be called upon and they’ve done a great job of that. Usually when we do that, we get a pretty good lift from it.”

In Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, the Timberwolves committed 19 turnovers leading to 34 Thunder points. In Game 2, Minnesota had 14 turnovers leading to 22 Oklahoma City points. The Timberwolves lost both games. In Game 3 at home, the Timberwolves turned the basketball over just 10 times for 15 Thunder points and won.

“Hopefully we’ve learned enough lessons, but they’re really good,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch said of the Thunder and their top-ranked defense. “They really force you into tight spots and they swarm you when they get there, so everything’s got to be a little bit earlier than you’re used to. …

“The faster we play, the quicker our decision-making is. The quicker our decision-making is, the better we are. When we get caught holding or surveying too long or probing or exploring things for ourselves too much, that’s when we invite trouble. And this is what this team really thrives on. This OKC defense just feasts on that.”

Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference finals between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder is set to start at 8:30 p.m. ET, on Monday, May 26.