Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 factors, grabbed 9 rebounds and dished 10 assists because the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder escaped with a 128-126 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Sport 4 of the Western Convention finals on Monday evening in Minneapolis.
Jalen Williams added 34 factors on 13-for-24 capturing for Oklahoma Metropolis, which seized a 3-1 lead within the best-of-seven collection. Chet Holmgren completed with 21 factors on 9-for-14 capturing.
Gilgeous-Alexander sank 5 of 6 free-throw makes an attempt within the remaining 15 seconds to seal the victory.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 23 factors off the bench to guide Minnesota. Jaden McDaniels contributed 22 factors, and Donte DiVincenzo completed with 21 factors off the bench.
The collection will shift again to Oklahoma Metropolis for Sport 5 on Wednesday evening.
Each groups battled within the remaining minutes because the Thunder staved off the Timberwolves’ comeback try.
Gilgeous-Alexander displayed his athleticism as he discovered Williams for a 3-pointer from the left wing to make it 116-109 with 3:34 remaining. Gilgeous-Alexander was falling down on the play, and he slipped a cross between McDaniels’ legs to the open Williams.
The lead went again to seven when Williams hit one other 3-pointer to place the Thunder on prime 123-116 with 1:21 to go.
The Timberwolves clawed again due to McDaniels, who made a driving layup with 1:10 left and adopted up with a 3-pointer with 23.1 seconds remaining. The latter hoop sliced the Thunder’s result in 123-121.
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Each groups exchanged free throws within the remaining seconds.
The Thunder led 128-125 when Anthony Edwards stepped to the free-throw line with 3.5 seconds left. Edwards made the primary try and missed the second try on objective, however Gilgeous-Alexander chased down the rebound and fired a protracted cross out of bounds to cease the clock with 0.3 seconds to go.
Williams intercepted Julius Randle’s inbounds cross as time expired.
Oklahoma Metropolis led 90-85 on the finish of the third quarter. The Timberwolves went on an 8-0 run to chop their deficit to 77-76 with 5 minutes remaining within the third. DiVincenzo buried a 3-pointer from the left nook to punctuate the run.
The Thunder responded on the subsequent possession when Gilgeous-Alexander knocked down a leap shot to offer his group a 79-76 lead with 4:41 left within the quarter.
Minnesota trailed 65-57 on the half. Edwards had solely 4 factors earlier than the break, and he completed the sport with 16 factors on 5-for-13 capturing. He made only one of seven makes an attempt from 3-point vary.