OKC Thunder vs Timberwolves: Live Score, Highlights & How to Watch Tonight’s Western Showdown

The Oklahoma City Thunder are one victory away from their first NBA Finals appearance in 13 years after edging the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-126 in a nail-biting Game 4 at Target Center. The win pushes OKC to a commanding 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals and flips home-court advantage back to Paycom Center for Wednesday’s pivotal Game 5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a masterclass in late-game shot-making, finishing with 40 points, eight assists and six rebounds while shooting 14-for-24 from the field. His downhill attacks repeatedly bent Minnesota’s top-ranked defense, and his pull-up jumper with 31 seconds left gave the Thunder a lead they never relinquished. Rookie center Chet Holmgren (18 points, 11 boards) and swingman Jalen Williams (22 points) supplied timely buckets to withstand several Timberwolves runs. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards exploded for 38 points of his own, including a contested three that cut the deficit to one with 4.5 seconds remaining. Karl-Anthony Towns added 24 points, but the Wolves could not capitalize on a final in-bounds play when Edwards’ desperation heave glanced off the rim at the horn. Key takeaways that will shape the remainder of the series: • Clutch gene, unlocked: Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 36.8 points on 63% true shooting in the fourth quarters of the series, outdueling Edwards in crunch-time possessions. Containing SGA’s right-to-left crossover has become Minnesota’s primary tactical dilemma. • Paint protection cracked: The Timberwolves surrendered 58 points in the paint after giving up just 40 per game during the regular season. Holmgren’s rim running and Williams’ cuts exploited Rudy Gobert’s drop coverage, forcing Chris Finch to experiment with small-ball lineups that left Towns defending the rim. • Depth differential: While OKC’s bench contributed 27 points, highlighted by Isaiah Joe’s trio of corner threes, the Wolves managed only 11 bench points. With Nickeil Alexander-Walker nursing a sore ankle, Minnesota’s second unit struggled to generate quality looks and looked gassed in the closing minutes. • Historical context: The Thunder haven’t reached the Finals since 2012, while the Timberwolves are seeking their first berth in franchise history. Momentum now decidedly favors the league’s youngest roster, which has already knocked out the defending champion Nuggets on its path to the West crown. Looking ahead to Game 5 Game 5 tips Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET in Oklahoma City. Tickets sold out within minutes of Monday night’s win, but fans can still stream “Thunder vs Timberwolves” live through the NBA App and participating cable authentications in most markets. Minnesota must steal a road victory to extend the series to a Game 6 back at Target Center on Friday. For Chris Finch’s squad, the blueprint is clear: tighten the shell defense around the nail, funnel drives away from Edwards, and convert open threes that have rimmed out (the Wolves shot just 8-for-32 from deep in Game 4). For Mark Daigneault and the upstart Thunder, poise is the priority. Should Oklahoma City control the glass and keep turnovers under 12, the confetti in Loud City could fall earlier than anyone predicted back in October. Search interest for phrases such as “OKC vs Timberwolves live stream,” “Thunder lead 3-1,” and “Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Game 4 highlights” is already spiking as casual and die-hard fans alike zero in on a series that may crown the NBA’s next powerhouse. With the stakes at their highest and two electrifying young superstars trading haymakers, Wednesday night promises appointment viewing—and potentially, a passing of the Western Conference torch.