The Oklahoma City Thunder proved their doubters wrong by defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-126 in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals, securing a 3-1 series lead. First-time All-Star Jalen Williams delivered his best postseason performance, scoring a playoff-career-high 34 points and leading the team to victory.
Williams’ impressive display came on the heels of a poor shooting series in their previous loss to the Dallas Mavericks. However, he bounced back with 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting in Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets. His clutch performances have been a turning point for Williams, who has shown significant growth throughout the playoffs.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised Williams’ adjustment to Minnesota’s defensive approach, saying “he just took what they gave him” and remained in control for most of the game. Power forward/center Chet Holmgren also rose to the occasion, scoring nine points in the fourth quarter to help Oklahoma City secure the win.
The Thunder trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Holmgren combined for 95 points, the most by a team since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City in 2008. With the series lead now within their grasp, Gilgeous-Alexander is excited about the future, saying “there’s still so much more room to grow” before the Thunder can start thinking about the NBA Finals.
For Williams, the focus remains on the present. Despite his impressive performance, he emphasized the importance of staying grounded and focused on the next series, saying “I try not to get too ahead of myself with it.” The Thunder will look to build on this momentum in their next matchup against a tough opponent.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45337963/thunder-outlast-timberwolves-secure-3-1-series-lead