Chet Holmgren Shines as Thunder Edge Timberwolves in Game 4

With just over a minute remaining in a tightly contested Game 4, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander found himself trapped in a triple team at Target Center. The Oklahoma City star, determined to maintain his team's four-point lead, executed an impressive maneuver, falling to the ground yet managing to pass the ball through the legs of Minnesota's Jaden McDaniels. The ball landed perfectly in the hands of Jalen Williams, who was waiting behind the arc.

Williams made no mistake, sinking the three-pointer and effectively sealing the game for the Thunder. Despite a late surge from the Timberwolves that cut the lead to one point, Oklahoma City held on for a 128-126 victory, taking a commanding 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference finals.

Even with Gilgeous-Alexander's remarkable 40-point, 10-assist, and nine-rebound performance, it was his teammates who shone brightly alongside him. Williams contributed significantly with 34 points, including 13 in a dominant first quarter that set the tone for the Thunder after their previous loss. His shooting was sharp—13 of 24 from the field and 6 of 9 from three-point range—while also contributing defensively with three steals.

"From start to finish, he picked his spots great," Gilgeous-Alexander remarked about Williams. "He was aggressive, stepped into everything. He’s proven why he’s received all these awards this year. It’s impressive to see what he’s already achieved at such a young age."

Chet Holmgren also made his mark, scoring nine of his 21 points in the fourth quarter. He showcased his versatility by shooting 9 for 14 from the field and grabbing four offensive rebounds out of seven total. His defensive prowess was highlighted by a spectacular block against McDaniels in the final minute, preserving the Thunder's lead.

Holmgren's defensive play was particularly noteworthy. After McDaniels executed a slick spin move to drive toward the basket, Holmgren maintained his balance and timing, leaping to swat away the shot cleanly as the clock ticked under 40 seconds.

"On both ends of the floor, he affects the game at such a high level," Gilgeous-Alexander said of Holmgren. "It’s crazy because he’s just out there playing off feel. We rarely call plays for him; he’s just making winning plays—whether it’s scoring, blocking shots, or rebounding."

As the Timberwolves struggled to regain momentum after a charging foul on Gilgeous-Alexander, they managed to score again with a three-pointer from McDaniels with only 23 seconds left. However, Gilgeous-Alexander sealed the game at the free-throw line, while Williams intercepted a desperate half-court inbounds pass from Minnesota as time expired.

Holmgren, who was selected second overall in the 2022 draft and missed his entire rookie season due to injury, delivered a statement performance in front of his hometown crowd. His contributions have been pivotal in bringing the Thunder within one win of reaching the NBA Finals.

"When you have really good players that the other team needs to stop, they’re going to have to help recover from somewhere," Holmgren explained. "We have to make them pay for that and be aggressive. It’s not always about scoring; sometimes it’s about making the extra pass or finding the next action. Just trying to leave fingerprints on the game and make winning plays."

Despite being part of one of the league's smaller markets, this trio has already made waves off the court as well. They star in a humorous AT&T commercial that emphasizes communication when they all show up at a red-carpet event wearing identical outfits.

The chemistry among them is genuine. "We’re all really cool with each other," Williams stated, reflecting on their bond. "Off-the-court chemistry seeps into on-court performance. We’ve grown up together and faced many experiences that have either forced us to trust each other or grow apart. We’ve definitely grown closer."

"That’s just how we play—live and die by trusting each other," he added. "Whatever happens from there happens."