OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City Thunder’s head coach Mark Daigneault handed center Isaiah Hartenstein a book titled “The Obstacle Is the Way” during a challenging point this season. Being an avid reader, Hartenstein took the book’s lessons to heart, affirming, “I read it and remembered that everything happens for a reason. And after that, everything worked out great.” His reflection mirrors the journey of the Thunder throughout this season and resurfaced poignantly during Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Faced with a daunting 10-point deficit in the second half against the Indiana Pacers, who were flirting with a commanding 3-1 series lead, the Thunder once again demonstrated resilience and emerged victorious.
The pivotal moment was driven by the relentless effort of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP and scoring champion, who tallied 15 of his 35 points in the crucial final five minutes. Powered by his dynamic performance, the Thunder surged to a 111-104 triumph over Indiana on Friday night. With the series tied at 2-2, the competition returns to Oklahoma City for Game 5 on Monday, once again restoring the Thunder’s home-court advantage.
Reflecting on the intense matchup, Daigneault acknowledged both the Thunder’s endurance and the challenge posed by the Pacers: “That was an uphill game against a great team. This is one of the best teams in the league, since All-Star break. They’re a hard team to beat here. They’re a hard team to beat, period. I thought we gutted it out on a night when we didn’t have a lot going, especially offensively.”
On a night when the Thunder mustered just three successful three-pointers and were trailing behind at 45% shooting for most of the game, Gilgeous-Alexander’s late-game exploits were remarkable. His final 4:40 performance – 11 shots, including a three-pointer and eight free throws, all successful – epitomized a flawless finish under pressure.
“It’s unbelievable,” Daigneault enthused, “He really didn’t have it going a lot of the night. He was laboring. We had a hard time shaking him free. For him to be able to flip the switch like that and get the rhythm he got just speaks to how great of a player he is.”
Despite the Thunder’s outstanding 68-14 record this season, they did not escape adversity’s grasp. Injuries had sidelined key players like Chet Holmgren and Hartenstein at various times. Lineup flux and mini-slumps presented challenges. Their journey included a Game 1 loss in the second round to Denver. Yet, Daigneault understands that these trials are the bedrock for growth and progression, viewing them as stepping stones to achieve their ultimate goals.
Just as Hartenstein gleaned from his reading, the Thunder found redemption in Game 4’s late recovery. “We haven’t really had to show it a lot this year, with the success we had in the regular season,” guard Jalen Williams noted. He added insights on the playoffs’ learning curve and how coach Daigneault’s philosophy of continual improvement manifests, “We’ve had a lot of ups and downs during the playoffs. We’ve just learned from those experiences. That is something Mark is really big on; every game you should be able to learn, then the next game you should be able to apply something and get better at it. That’s what we’re trying to do every time.”
As the finals progress, the Thunder remain acutely aware of the challenge ahead. Indiana’s earlier victory in Oklahoma City acts as a reminder that despite the Thunder’s superior regular-season record, the Pacers are formidable opponents. Each team has stolen victories in this closely contested series, highlighting the parity between them.
After Game 4’s nail-biting conclusion, Gilgeous-Alexander remains focused but cautiously optimistic, “I still feel like we have so much work to do. Halfway there, obviously, but still so far from the finish line.” Yet, their recent triumph serves as proof that with resilience and execution, success is well within reach—just as “The Obstacle Is the Way” champions.