The Oklahoma City Thunder’s game plan for Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards was executed to a tee in their Game Four victory in Minnesota. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was nearly flawless, finishing with 40 points, nine assists, and ten rebounds—just shy of a triple-double. Jalen Williams added 34 points, including six three-pointers. The hometown kid, Chet Holmgren, delivered one of the best postseason performances of his young career, posting 21 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks.
It was a statement game the Thunder desperately needed, especially for this young core. The game was back and forth, and Minnesota just couldn’t get over the hump at the end of the night. Anthony Edwards finished with 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting. It was a lackluster night for Edwards, who was face-guarded and double-teamed throughout. His running mate, Julius Randle, was equally disappointing, finishing with five points, seven rebounds, and three assists. When asked about his and Randle’s struggles, Edwards credited Oklahoma City’s defensive scheme.
“I don’t look at it like I struggled or he struggled,” Edwards told the media after the game. “They had a good game plan, making us get off the ball. Especially for me, man, they were super in gaps… I don’t really look at it like I struggled. I didn’t get enough shots to say I struggled.”
Still, when you can’t find opportunities to take the shots you’re comfortable with, that is a form of struggle.
Cousin of MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, led Minnesota in scoring with 23 points, and Donte DiVincenzo’s 21 points were the constant within the inconsistency for this Timberwolves team—but it wasn’t enough. With a final score of 128-126, Minnesota had a chance late but failed to execute when it mattered most.
Game Five in Oklahoma City could either send this franchise to its second NBA Finals since moving in 2007, or we’ll be headed back to Minnesota for Game Six—if Edwards and Randle can bounce back from their disappointing performances.
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