A 42-point beatdown on the road can take its toll on a team especially in the postseason. But that does not seem to be the case for the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

The Minnesota Timberwolves were carrying some momentum heading into Game 4 of the 2025 Western Conference Finals and were threatening to turn the best-of-seven series into a best-of-three affair. However, the Thunder were a determined bunch led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren, who all turned in strong performances. The Wolves stood toe-to-toe with OKC thanks to their resurgent bench, but Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams made big shots down the stretch. Holmgren was a factor on offense as well, but he was also a menace on the defensive end. 

A championship mentality is slowly emerging within the Thunder because of how battle-tested they are and how they’ve handled adversity in this postseason alone. While they have the type of star power that a handful of teams covet, their success is also contingent on the rest of the roster. OKC is among the top teams on offense and their high assist numbers (25.3 assists per game) point to how they are effective in sharing the basketball. 

However, it’s their defense that merits attention as well. The Thunder have done a great job in limiting Minnesota’s production and pretty much rendering them efficient. Moreover, Anthony Edwards has generally been rendered ineffective in that his big games were for naught thanks to the likes of Alex Caruso and First Team All-Defense selection Lu Dort. In previous series, the Wolves flexed their depth especially at the frontcourt, but facing OKC has pretty much negated that advantage.  

The Thunder were built through a patient accumulation of assets and this tenacious approach has spilled over to the team itself as they have matured with each passing season together. Gilgeous-Alexander has emerged as a star, while Williams has come into his own as an All-Star. Meanwhile, Holmgren has been able to overcome a couple of freak injuries and re-emerged as a two-way force. The fruits of their labor have all come together in the last few seasons, with this current campaign potentially having a happy ending. Looking at the bigger picture, they’re set for the long run as well, as they still have enough assets they can utilize to effectively extend their championship window. 

In a postseason marked by epic comebacks, the Oklahoma City Thunder have quickly bounced back from an ugly loss and now have a foot in the door to the NBA Finals. Talent has to some extent taken them this far, but it’s their mettle that will get them over this hump. And at a time when they were at a crossroads, they responded the way teams playing until June do.