Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tears up in MVP speech
NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s acceptance speech turns emotional as pay tribute to his wife
The Minnesota Timberwolves are on the board.
The Timberwolves defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 143-101 in Game 3 on Saturday to win their first game of the Western Conference finals and cut the deficit to 2-1 in the series. Can Minnesota replicate Saturday’s effort in Game 4 on Monday to tie the series before it shifts back to Oklahoma City?
Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves will have to find a way to slow Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was named the 2025 NBA MVP. Through the first three games of the Western Conference finals, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 27.7 points, 7.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds vs. the Timberwolves.
Minnesota is not only vying for its first NBA championship, the Timberwolves are also looking for their first NBA Finals appearance. The Thunder last appeared in the NBA Finals in 2012, but the franchise has not won an NBA championship in Oklahoma City. (The Seattle SuperSonics won a title in 1979 before the franchise was renamed and relocated in 2008.)
The Thunder have one of the deepest teams in the league, but in the playoffs, rotations tighten and some reserves might not get as much playing time. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault preaches readiness regardless.
“We try to create an environment and a culture of readiness, and part of the way that you do that, it’s by throwing guys in the game,” Daigneault said. “It’s one thing to say, ‘Hey, you got to stay ready.’ It’s quite another to put your money where your mouth is and throw guys out there and give guys opportunities. Especially like I said, if the game’s not going the way that we want it to, we try to shake things up and try to see if we can ignite something.
“Obviously we weren’t able to do that the other night, but I think that sets a healthy tone for the team and the more you do that and the more the players see that, even if it’s not their number getting called, I think it gets their attention and it reminds them that at any moment you could be called upon and they’ve done a great job of that. Usually when we do that, we get a pretty good lift from it.”
In Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, the Timberwolves committed 19 turnovers leading to 34 Thunder points. In Game 2, Minnesota had 14 turnovers leading to 22 Oklahoma City points. The Timberwolves lost both games. In Game 3 at home, the Timberwolves turned the basketball over just 10 times for 15 Thunder points and won.
“Hopefully we’ve learned enough lessons, but they’re really good,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch said of the Thunder and their top-ranked defense. “They really force you into tight spots and they swarm you when they get there, so everything’s got to be a little bit earlier than you’re used to. …
“The faster we play, the quicker our decision-making is. The quicker our decision-making is, the better we are. When we get caught holding or surveying too long or probing or exploring things for ourselves too much, that’s when we invite trouble. And this is what this team really thrives on. This OKC defense just feasts on that.”
Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference finals between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder is set to start at 8:30 p.m. ET, on Monday, May 26.
How to watch Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: TV, streamTime: 8:30 p.m. ETLocation: Target Center (Minneapolis)TV: ESPNStream: ESPN+, Fubo
Watch Timberwolves vs. Thunder Game 4 on Fubo
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 4 odds
The Oklahoma City Thunder are favored to win Game 4, according to BetMGM.
Odds as of Monday, May 26.
Spread: Thunder -3.5Moneyline: Thunder (-150), Timberwolves (+125)Over/under: 218.5
Thunder lead series 2-1
Game 1, May 20: Thunder 114, Timberwolves 88Game 2, May 22: Thunder 118, Timberwolves 103Game 3, May 24: Timberwolves 143, Thunder 101Game 4, May 26: Thunder at TimberwolvesGame 5, May 28: Timberwolves at Thunder | ESPN, 8:30 p.m.Game 6, May 30: Thunder at Timberwolves | ESPN, 8:30 p.m.*Game 7, June 1: Timberwolves at Thunder | ESPN, 8 p.m.*
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