After allowing Anthony Edwards 62 points over the past two games, the Thunder needed an immediate defensive adjustment heading into Game 4. Their denial-and-delay approach on Edwards worked to perfection Monday night, holding him to just 16 points on 5-for-13 shooting.
Lu Dort, who was recently named first team All-Defense, took the bulk of the responsibility, using his elite screen navigation ability to stay attached to Edwards and preventing him from getting to his sweet spots in the half court. Similar to the series against the Denver Nuggets, Dort was able to force two offensive fouls on illegal screens because of his navigation skills. But an elite offensive talent like Edwards requires a collective approach, and the rest of the Thunder defenders did a good job swarming Edwards (and others), crowding his airspace.
Edwards didn’t attempt his first field goal until 35 seconds remaining in the first quarter, and the aggressive Thunder defense (with higher pickup points) forced seven turnovers in the opening frame. Minnesota committed 23 total turnovers in the game.
At the other end of the floor, Jalen Williams provided a much-needed boost in conjunction with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s typical MVP-level production, finishing with 34 points and five assists on 13-for-24 shooting. Gilgeous-Alexander’s efficiency gives the Thunder a sizable advantage, but it’s clear at this stage that he alone can’t drag the team to the finals. Oklahoma City’s chess match concerning Williams and the Wolves’ defense was intriguing, utilizing both traditional bigs and smaller guards to generate mismatches. When Minnesota opted to keep a player like Julius Randle on Alex Caruso, the Thunder would immediately involve the latter in screening action, giving Williams a mismatch on the perimeter.
In situations where the Wolves defended straight up, either Isaiah Hartenstein or Chet Holmgren would set screens higher up the floor, giving Williams an ample amount of runway to create and innovate. In the fourth quarter, Williams proved the difference maker, scoring 14 points in a back-and-forth thriller. Williams, who was named third team All-NBA this season, has taken another leap in the postseason at a time where his teammates need him the most.
Oklahoma City’s strength in numbers again was on display in Game 4, with key reserves Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe and Kenrich Williams contributing to the 3-point production. The Thunder hit 16 3s, making 43.2 percent of them.
Because of how much attention is paid to the likes of Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams, it’s paramount that the rest of the Thunder floor spacers are hitting a consistent amount of shots to keep the defense honest. Oklahoma City has been one of the most prolific outside shooting teams this season, and the contributions from its bench aren’t going unnoticed as they sit just one game away from a trip to the finals.
