The Timberwolves had to break even in the possession game to upset the Thunder in this series. They failed at that in the biggest moment of their season Monday night — Minnesota turned the ball over 23 times and allowed 19 Oklahoma City offensive rebounds in Game 4. The result was the Thunder getting up 11 more shots in the game.
That was the difference in what an epic, high-level playoff game, one of the best of the postseason. Well, turnovers and a career playoff high 40 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Chet Holmgren 'was a monster' vs Wolves in pushing Thunder a win away from NBA Finals
Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman

Thunder inches closer to NBA Finals with clutch Game 4 win vs Wolves | 5 takeaways
Justin Martinez, The Oklahoman

Timberwolves’ depth delivers, execution does not in Game 4 loss to Thunder
Jace Frederick, Pioneer Press

Thunder take Game 4; SGA, Jalen Williams impress vs. Wolves
The Athletic

The Wolves Must Maintain An Energized Bench to Keep Their Season Alive
Charlie Walton, Zone Coverage

Jalen Williams keys Game 4 win
Tim MacMahon, ESPN

5 takeaways as Oklahoma City's stars shine in Game 4
Shaun Powell, NBA.com

ECF

Can the Knicks even the series? Three key factors that will decide the answer.
Jonathan Macri, Knicks Film School

Karl-Anthony Towns is focused, unlocking new possibilities for the Knicks
Fred Katz, The Athletic

The Knicks’ 2 stars can’t play together, and it’s forcing uncomfortable choices in 2025 NBA Playoffs
Ricky O’Donnell, SBNation

Brunson and Towns are the Knicks’ two best players, a pair of offensive supernovas who can takeover a game as scorers at a moment’s notice. They are also both bad defenders, and the Knicks are learning that it’s hard to get enough stops to win with both of them playing together.
One of the big storylines of this series has been how poorly the Knicks’ starting lineup is performing, at -20 for the conference finals and -41 overall for the playoffs. The real problem with that lineup is it features Brunson and Towns together. Towns and Brunson are -20 in their minutes together in the conference finals, and -9 in 412 minutes together in these playoffs.
Remove one of them, and the Knicks suddenly start winning their minutes. With Brunson on and Towns off, the Knicks have a +9.17 net-rating in the playoffs. With Towns on and Brunson off, New York is +9.14 per 100 possessions, via PBP Stats. The Knicks allow a 119.47 defensive rating (that’s points allowed per 100 possessions) with Towns and Brunson on during the playoffs. That number falls to 113.08 when Towns goes to the bench, and it falls to 98.2 when Brunson goes to the pine.

A gritty comeback win from the Knicks fueled by KAT.
Gibson Pyper, Half Court Hoops

How Mitchell Robinson's return changed the Knicks
Chris Herring, ESPN

The Knicks finally learned how to use Karl-Anthony Towns
Kristian Winfield, NY Daily News

The Knicks ground the Pacers down in Game 3's come-from-behind victory, leaving Indiana searching for stable ground.
Steve Aschburner, NBA.com

Thibodeau 3 wins shy of 1st NBA Finals appearance as head coach
Kristian Winfield, NY Daily News

LEAGUEWIDE

The Most Surprising Comeback of the NBA Playoffs: Old-School Defense
Robert O’Connell, Wall Street Journal

The modern NBA is all about offense. But in the playoffs, there’s a twist: tough defense has become the key to the game.

Four stats explaining the conference finals
Mike Shearer, Basketball Poetry

The pressure point deciding the conference finals
Zach Kram, ESPN

This ‘Smart’ Play Is Ruining Games (And The NBA Needs To Fix It)
Mat Issa, Forbes

Thunder-Wolves thriller hijacked by free-throw parade, showing again why NBA needs to get serious about a fix
Brad Botkin, CBS Sports

The N.B.A.’s Age of Dynasties Is Over. Will That Hurt Its Business?
Tania Gangulia, NY Times

This year’s playoff ratings are excellent. But is a small-market problem looming?

Antetokounmpo backs rumored USA vs. World format for 2026 NBA All-Star Game: 'Must-see basketball'
Robby Kalland, CBS Sports

BI: If and when the Assn does this, it will set the record for most years expiring between something becoming glaringly obvious to do and actually doing it.

Longley to White: The Aussies who have won an NBA title
Matt Hickey, The Pick And Roll

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