NBA Playoffs: Thunder edge Timberwolves, move one win away from Finals

Gilgeous-Alexander achieved a playoff career-high of 40 points, along with 10 assists and nine rebounds, energizing the Thunder, who now hold a 3-1 advantage in the best-of-seven Western Conference finals series, with a potentially decisive game five scheduled for Wednesday in Oklahoma City.

"Play to our identity on both ends of the floor - if we do that we'll be just fine," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "If not, it could get ugly. So we've just got to be who we are and trust our work and trust our habits."

Jalen Williams added 34 points with 6-of-9 shooting from three-point range and Chet Holmgren contributed 21 points for the Thunder.

"They were amazing tonight," said Gilgeous-Alexander of the duo. "They were confident. They weren't rattled by the moment. There's so much to say about the work they put in, the effort, and the character those two guys have. They deserve these moments. I'm nothing but proud of these two."

The Thunder have not made it to the NBA Finals since their defeat against Miami in 2012, whereas the T-Wolves have yet to appear in the championship series.

Reserves Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Donte DiVincenzo energized Minnesota with 23 and 21 points respectively, while Jaden McDaniels contributed 22 points. Star guard Anthony Edwards, who was closely defended throughout the game, could only score 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting.

"They are a really good team," said Gilgeous-Alexander. "You try and do a good job on their main guys and their B, C and D guys get off. You've got to try and do the job all the way around. It's harder than it looks."

The Timberwolves surrendered 21 turnovers and allowed the Thunder 19 offensive rebounds.

"You're not going to beat a team like this if you are turning it over 20-plus times and letting them have a bunch of second-chance opportunities, and we knew that," Minnesota coach Chris Finch said.

Oklahoma City secured victories in the initial two home games; however, the Minnesota Timberwolves decisively defeated the Thunder in game three, leading to a highly competitive game four.

Both teams exhibited physicality and aggression, showcasing impressive shooting from the outset. Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams each contributed 13 points in the first quarter, allowing the Thunder to establish a 37-30 advantage.

Gilgeous-Alexander achieved a shooting percentage of 5-of-6, while Williams recorded 5-of-8 and 3-of-5 from three-point territory.

The Timberwolves managed to hit 12-of-19 and 5-of-10 from beyond the arc during the first quarter; however, they also committed seven turnovers, and Edwards did not attempt a shot until just 35 seconds remained in the quarter.

Gilgeous-Alexander accumulated 21 points in the first half, leading Oklahoma City to a 65-57 score at halftime, while Edwards had only taken two shots and Minnesota had conceded 13 turnovers.

The Thunder achieved their largest lead at 68-57 in the early moments of the third quarter, but the Timberwolves responded with a 9-0 run, with Rudy Gobert contributing four points during this stretch, narrowing Oklahoma City's lead to 90-85 as they entered the fourth quarter.

Jaden McDaniels hit a left corner three-pointer with 23 seconds left, bringing Minnesota within 123-121, but Gilgeous-Alexander countered with two free throws, extending the Thunder's lead to five with 14 seconds remaining.

Gobert's rebound putback brought the Timberwolves closer at 125-123 with nine seconds left, but NBA scoring champion Gilgeous-Alexander converted 1-of-2 free throws, leaving the Timberwolves needing a three-pointer to tie the game with eight seconds on the clock.

Minnesota's Naz Reid successfully made two free throws, but Gilgeous-Alexander was fouled and converted two free throws, giving the Thunder a 128-125 advantage.

Edwards was fouled with 3.5 seconds left, making the first free throw and intentionally missing the second. However, Gilgeous-Alexander threw the ball down the court, resulting in it going out of bounds with only 0.3 seconds remaining.

A last-ditch inbounds play was unsuccessful, and the Thunder clinched a hard-fought victory.