Game 5 is all set up for the Oklahoma City Thunder to close out the series after a dominant performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
From start to finish, OKC controlled the game, never giving Minnesota a real chance. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with a stellar 40-point outing, but it was the collective effort from the entire roster that made the difference.
While Jimmy Butler III and Buddy Hield jokingly referenced Robin and Alfred supporting Batman (Stephen Curry), the real dynamic duo might be in Oklahoma City—Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren.
After a rough showing in Game 3, the pair bounced back in a big way, stepping up when it mattered most. And in the Thunder’s typically spotlight-grabbing postgame interviews, Gilgeous-Alexander made sure to credit their contributions.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Talks Up Thunder’s Pillar of Support
OKC huddles with their entire team whenever the Thunder appears for their post-game press conferences.
SGA spoke highly of Williams and Holmgren: “They were amazing tonight. They were confident, and they weren’t rattled by the moment. Like, it’s so much to say about the work they put in, the effort and the character that those two guys have. They deserve these moments.”
The camaraderie between the Thunder players justifies a mention as they battle for each other. When a front office sets up a team, apart from all the stats and numbers, personality, character traits, determination, and all those intangibles make up a solid team. The Thunder has a blend of both.
Gilgeous-Alexander continued, “And they are stepping into them in full confidence and taking advantage of them, and I’m nothing but proud of these two.”
“They were amazing tonight… nothing but proud of these two”
Shai with BIG praise for @ChetHolmgren and @jdubwttp 🙌 https://t.co/IjeYhrBPQ1 pic.twitter.com/bj1E2bqOJj
— NBA (@NBA) May 27, 2025
With all said about their togetherness and will to win, the numbers produced by Williams and Holmgren became the difference in Game 4.
A Minor Explosion From Jaylen Williams and Chet Holmgren
Game 3 was one to forget for Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, as both struggled to make an impact against the Timberwolves’ physical defense.
Williams finished with 13 points and four rebounds but was clearly affected by Minnesota’s aggressive play. He shot just 33.3% from the field and never found his rhythm, committing four turnovers that further disrupted the Thunder’s offensive flow.
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Holmgren, meanwhile, was effectively neutralized by Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle, managing only 10 points. His rebounding numbers were underwhelming, and surprisingly, he failed to register a single block—uncharacteristic for someone who averaged 2.2 blocks per game during the season.
But in Game 4, both players flipped the script, turning in redemption performances when the Thunder needed them most.
Williams delivered in a big way, dropping 34 points and draining six three-pointers—each one seemingly coming at a crucial moment to halt a Timberwolves run. He also tallied three steals, rediscovering his defensive edge and setting the tone on both ends of the floor.
Chet Holmgren bounced back impressively as well, contributing 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting and swatting away three key shots to anchor the Thunder’s defense.
Game 4 belonged to Williams, Holmgren, and of course, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who once again came through in the clutch to put OKC firmly in control of the series. So get ready—Game 5 is shaping up to be a celebration in Oklahoma City if the Thunder punch their ticket to the Finals.
