In a thrilling Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showcased his MVP caliber by scoring 15 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter, propelling the Oklahoma City Thunder to a gritty 111-104 victory over the Indiana Pacers. This win levels the Finals at two games apiece, heightening the anticipation for Game 5.
Frustrated by Indiana’s relentless defense for much of the matchup, Gilgeous-Alexander found a way to break through when it mattered most. He netted a crucial 3-pointer followed by a pull-up jumper, giving the Thunder their first lead since the first half with 2:23 remaining in the contest.
From that point on, the Thunder wouldn’t trail again. Remarkably, Gilgeous-Alexander, who had not attempted a free throw in the first half, stepped up to the line multiple times in the final seconds to secure the win, sinking six free throws in just 44 seconds.
“It’s a dog fight,” Gilgeous-Alexander commented postgame, referring to the intense nature of the match. “Every time you step on the floor, on both ends of the floor they make you work.”
The Thunder’s victory was not solely due to Gilgeous-Alexander’s heroics. Jalen Williams contributed significantly with 27 points, while Chet Holmgren added 14 points and 15 rebounds. Alex Caruso came off the bench to score 20 points, providing a much-needed spark for Oklahoma City.
For the Pacers, Pascal Siakam led the charge with 20 points and added eight rebounds, five assists, and five steals. Tyrese Haliburton and Obi Toppin supported with 18 and 17 points, respectively, helping Indiana build a 10-point lead late in the third quarter.
Despite a promising start, where Indiana quickly established a nine-point lead, the Thunder displayed resilience, erasing the deficit to tie the game. The first half ended with Indiana ahead 60-57 after Haliburton executed a three-point play.
As tensions rose during the game, physicality ensued with a few incidents, including Toppin receiving a flagrant foul and technical fouls being assessed to both Toppin and Oklahoma’s Isaiah Hartenstein after a confrontation.
The turning point came in the fourth quarter, with Indiana gaining their first double-digit lead after Toppin’s dunk made it 86-76 late in the period. However, the Thunder clamped down defensively and tied the game multiple times before Gilgeous-Alexander took control.
Coach Mark Daigneault praised his star player, highlighting his unreal performances. Caruso echoed these sentiments, describing Gilgeous-Alexander as one of the most competitive players in the league, noting, “I’ve seen him do it night after night.”
After the game, Gilgeous-Alexander expressed the urgency moving forward: “We knew it when we woke up this morning – 3-1 is a lot different than 2-2 going back home. We played with desperation to the end of the game and that’s why we won.”
With Game 5 looming on Monday, the Thunder must maintain the same level of intensity and desperation to seize the opportunity for their first title since the franchise’s relocation to Oklahoma City in 2008, following a championship win in 1979 as the Seattle SuperSonics.
With the series tied, both teams will look to reinforce their strategies, making the upcoming match critical not only for the championship but also for the momentum of the Finals.
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