INDIANAPOLIS — In a crucial moment with the stakes incredibly high, the Oklahoma City Thunder put their faith in their star player. Relying on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who delivered when it mattered most, the Thunder overcame a significant challenge. Scoring 15 of his 35 points in a pivotal 4:38 stretch, Gilgeous-Alexander spearheaded a comeback from a second-half 10-point deficit, leading Oklahoma City to secure a 111-104 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night. This win allowed the Thunder to level the NBA Finals series at two games each.
“Tonight, Shai truly demonstrated his value,” praised Thunder coach Mark Daigneault.
As the clock wound down, it was Gilgeous-Alexander who dominated, finishing strong as the Thunder executed a 16-7 run to close the game, with him scoring nearly all the points in that sequence.
“We approached the final minutes with desperation,” explained Gilgeous-Alexander, “which ultimately led to our victory.”
In support, Jalen Williams contributed 27 points, Alex Caruso scored 20, and Chet Holmgren amassed 14 points along with 15 rebounds for the Thunder. Remarkably, they achieved this with a season-low of just three successful three-point shots and without any assists from Gilgeous-Alexander, a first for the season.
On the Pacers’ side, Pascal Siakam led with 20 points, while Tyrese Haliburton added 18 and Obi Toppin chipped in 17. Looking ahead, Game 5 will be critical, with the series now a best-of-three. The Thunder regain home-court advantage when the series returns to Oklahoma City on Monday night.
“This series will be a mix of extreme highs and lows,” stated Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. “We’re currently at a low point, but need to bounce back.”
For Oklahoma City, this win preserved their chances of clinching the championship. Historically, teams that have attained a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals have secured the title 37 out of 38 times. The Pacers seemed poised to be the 39th before Gilgeous-Alexander turned the tables.
“We understood this morning that a 3-1 scenario is vastly different than 2-2 heading home,” noted Gilgeous-Alexander.
Early in the game, the Pacers seemed to have the upper hand, scoring an impressive 20 points in the opening 4:59. It was only the second occasion this season that the Thunder had allowed such a rapid start. Despite an early nine-point lead, Indiana couldn’t maintain the separation.
Tensions flared during the contest, with Toppin receiving a Flagrant 1 foul for his actions on Caruso in the second quarter, followed by being on the receiving end of a Flagrant 1 from Lu Dort. Ending the half on a 15-6 spurt, the Pacers led 60-57 at intermission.
A thrilling sequence unfolded as Toppin’s late third-quarter dunk granted Indiana an 86-76 lead, their largest of the series. Yet, the Thunder responded with a formidable 13-3 run, equalizing early in the fourth at 89, setting up multiple deadlocks: 91, 95, and 97. The tide turned with Gilgeous-Alexander’s step-back shot at 2:23, giving the Thunder a 104-103 lead, their first in the second half, a lead they would not relinquish.
“We strived for the win,” Siakam reflected. “We had moments where we played well, but unfortunately, the win slipped away.”