Five takeaways from Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals

Gilgeous-Alexander scored nine points in the final five minutes, along with an assist and two rebounds, including the game's final one. His most impressive assist came when he fell down on a drive in the lane, and somehow found Jalen Williams for a three-pointer.

That play was ugly, but effective, just like much of SGA's brute force performance. The important thing about winning ugly is that you're winning.

2. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren came up big for OKC

Gilgeous-Alexander is the MVP, but Williams is an All-Star and played like one Monday night. He made six three-pointers, shot 13-of-24 and finished with 34 points, five assists and three steals.

Holmgren also had a strong game, scoring 21 points and shooting 9-of-14 and adding three blocks, two threes and a steal, along with seven rebounds. One of those blocks came with 39.1 seconds left when he slapped a Jaden McDaniels layup attempt off the glass to keep it a two-possession game.

Oklahoma City got big performances from its three biggest stars, who also combined for 10 offensive rebounds. They combined for 95 of the Thunder's 128 points, 74 percent of the scoring. That was a stark contrast to the Timberwolves, who got a lot of big performances from role players, but not their stars.

3. The Thunder shut down Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle

Julius Randle finished Game 4 with five points and five turnovers. The Thunder's defense had a plan to counter Randle: Make him catch the ball above the free throw line, then collapse the defense on him with double- and even triple-teams, forcing turnovers. Three of those turnovers came in the first quarter and seemed to stun him into taking only seven shots.

It was a similar situation for Anthony Edwards, who made five baskets and had five turnovers. He had 16 points and six assists, but the Thunder forced him to pass the ball to his teammates, who shot admirably. To be honest, it was a miracle that the Timberwolves only lost by a point when Randle and Edwards combined for the same number of points as Holmgren.

4. The Timberwolves bench players were red-hot

Donte DiVincenzo was shooting 25.7 percent from three-point range in the playoffs before Game 3. Since then, he's recaptured the shooting form that had him shooting 42.5 percent from behind the arc for the New York Knicks last year. He scored 21 points and went 5-of-8 on his threes.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker also went 5-for-8 from deep, scoring 23 points and also scoring on some acrobatic drives.

He and DiVincenzo combined for 11 assists, rising to the occasion against his cousin's team. Minnesota also got 11 points and a three from Naz Reid and nine points from rookie Terrence Shannon, Jr. Overall, the Timberwolves' reserves shot 12-of-20 from distance and kept the team in the game. Starter Jaden McDaniels also went 3-for-6 from deep, shot 9-for-15 overall and grabbed four steals. The Timberwolves couldn't have hoped for more from their supporting cast.

5. Ultimately, OKC's extra possessions won the game

Minnesota shot 51.2 percent overall and 43.9 percent from three-point range, and made 22 free throws in 28 attempts. They had 30 assists to OKC's 22 and got 64 points from their bench. So, how did they lose? The Thunder attempted 11 more shots thanks to Minnesota's 21 turnovers (to their 14) and grabbed 19 offensive rebounds.

The Thunder scored 20 points off their 19 offensive boards and 21 points off the Timberwolves' turnovers. No matter how well a team shoots, it's very hard to overcome such a field goal disparity, and the Wolves couldn't do it Monday.