Finch Assigns Blame To His Players' Turnovers And Rebounding For Game 4 Loss

It was a close game between both teams, but Timberwolves coach Chris Finch believes they lost due to their lack of consistent rebounding and too many turnovers.

The turnover battle was stark. The Thunder threw the ball away 14 times, while the Timberwolves had 21. In a game that ended with a small two-point lead, every turnover was a chance for Minnesota to score.

Finch's Thoughts On What Led To The Game 3 Loss

This was a heartbreaking loss for the Timberwolves because they could have tied it up at two games apiece. This is a bitter pill for Minnesota because almost every player performed well outside the star players, Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle.

Alexander-Walker traded blows with his cousin Shai Gilgeous-Alexander throughout the game. It was not enough because the Thunder kept Edwards quiet and limited Randle to another single-digit night.

This was due to their swarming defense, which showed up in the turnovers they forced. At the same time, they also kept battling for the offensive rebound, which might look equal in the stat sheet, but the Thunder always had the momentum due to their effort.

"Absolutely, 40 between the 2, you’re not going to beat a team like this if you're turning it over 20 times, and allowing them to have a bunch of second chance opportunities," Finch said after Game 4.

Game 5 Will Be A Do-Or-Die Moment For The Timberwolves

Now that their backs are against the wall for the first time in the 2025 postseason, the Timberwolves must do their best to win it. Game 5 will be in Oklahoma City, so the Timberwolves will play in a hostile environment again.

They did well by winning Game 3 and competing in Game 4 at Target Center, but they will be subject to the Thunder's home-court advantage. That is challenging because the fans in Paycom Center are notoriously, one of the loudest crowds in the NBA. 

It will also be a big game for Edwards and Randle, who had tough nights in Game 4. They were the star performers in Game 3, but the Thunder neutralized them with impressive defense.

Now, the Timberwolves are looking to come back from a 1-3 deficit. It is not impossible to come back from that, as the Thunder realized in 2016 when they blew a lead. With an entirely new squad from nine years ago, the Thunder are ready to push forward and advance to the NBA Finals.