Thunder Stuns Pacers, Evens NBA Finals at 2-2

The NBA Finals witnessed a dramatic shift on Friday as the Oklahoma City Thunder orchestrated a remarkable come-from-behind victory against the Indiana Pacers. In what became a pivotal Game 4, the Thunder’s spectacular fourth-quarter surge allowed them to even the series at two games apiece. This hard-fought 111-104 win tightens the best-of-seven series into a crucial best-of-three scenario.

With the series now tied, the Thunder hold the highly coveted home-court advantage for the remainder of the Finals, setting the stage for an intense conclusion. Both teams have demonstrated their resilience and capability to win on the road, promising a compelling battle for the championship.

The Pacers’ Early Dominance and Thunder’s Resilience

The first half of Game 4 presented a tight contest, with both teams showcasing their offensive capabilities.

A High-Scoring Opening Half

Unlike the preceding games of the series, the first half of Game 4 saw a significantly higher scoring pace. The two teams combined for an impressive 117 points before the halftime break. The Indiana Pacers managed to secure a narrow lead, heading into halftime with a 60-57 advantage. This indicated a more open and offensively oriented game compared to the defensive battles witnessed earlier in the series.

The game remained intensely close throughout its initial stages. Aside from a brief period in the first half of the opening quarter, neither team managed to establish significant control. The Thunder briefly took the lead midway through the second quarter, demonstrating their early resolve. However, the Pacers responded with a timely run just before the end of the second period, reclaiming their lead and carrying momentum into the locker room. This back-and-forth action underscored the evenly matched nature of the two contending teams.

Team Contributions in the First Half

For the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jalen Williams was a standout performer in the first 24 minutes, leading the team in scoring with 16 points. Notably, their MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, took an uncharacteristic number of breaks during the first half. Despite this, SGA still contributed 12 points. However, his stat line showed zero assists, indicating that the Pacers’ defense was effectively focused on limiting the Thunder’s star playmaker and forcing other players to create opportunities.

In contrast, the Indiana Pacers showcased a much more balanced offensive attack. Pascal Siakam led their scoring with 16 points in the first half, continuing his strong performance in the Finals. What stood out, however, was the widespread contribution from the rest of the team. A remarkable seven of the other eight Pacers players who entered the game managed to score at least five points. This depth and balanced scoring made the Pacers a challenging opponent to defend in the initial phases of the game.

Pacers Build a Lead, Thunder Claws Back

The third quarter saw the Pacers extend their lead, but the Thunder’s resolve set the stage for their dramatic comeback.

Indiana’s Third Quarter Surge

The Indiana Pacers started the third quarter with renewed vigor, orchestrating a crucial 9-2 run. This burst allowed them to open up a seven-point lead, marking their biggest advantage since they were up by nine in the early moments of the first quarter. Pascal Siakam continued his dominant play, further energizing the Indianapolis crowd with a 25-foot three-pointer.

This deep shot brought the home fans to their feet and forced the Thunder to call a timeout, hoping to halt Indiana’s growing momentum before the lead became insurmountable. The timeout was a strategic move aimed at disrupting the Pacers’ rhythm and allowing the Thunder to regroup defensively.

Thunder’s Resilient Response

The timeout called by the Thunder’s coaching staff proved effective. Following the brief pause, Oklahoma City quickly began to cut into the Pacers’ lead, narrowing it down to just four points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued to deliver, scoring his 20th point of the game with a smooth pull-up jumper. An offensive foul committed by the Pacers provided another opportunity for Oklahoma City to further slice into the lead. This moment ignited frustration among the home crowd and even some Pacers players, who appeared visibly annoyed with the officials’ calls.

However, the Pacers quickly regained their composure. Obi Toppin provided a crucial spark off the bench, easing the frustration with back-to-back three-pointers. These clutch shots rebuilt the Pacers’ lead to a comfortable eight points, re-energizing the Indiana crowd.

Toppin’s strong effort, highlighted by a powerful dunk with just two minutes remaining in the third quarter, extended the Pacers’ lead to a commanding 10 points, their largest of the entire night. Despite this significant deficit, the Thunder managed to narrow that lead to seven points heading into the fourth quarter, keeping their comeback hopes alive and setting up a thrilling final period.

The Fourth Quarter Turnaround: Thunder’s Triumph

The final quarter of Game 4 saw the Oklahoma City Thunder execute a perfectly timed and relentless charge, ultimately flipping the script on the Indiana Pacers.

OKC’s Relentless Pursuit

The Oklahoma City Thunder wasted no time in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, launching an aggressive charge. This immediate offensive push allowed them to once again narrow the Pacers’ lead down to just three points. The intensity of the Thunder’s comeback forced Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle to call a timeout, attempting to stem the bleeding and regroup his team.

However, much like the Pacers themselves had demonstrated multiple times throughout these Finals by making late-game surges, the Thunder refused to back down. They continued their relentless pursuit, pushing until they successfully tied the game with approximately eight minutes remaining.

This marked a crucial psychological shift. While the Pacers had developed a reputation for thriving in close games throughout these playoffs, and had consistently been the team making the late-game charges in the Finals, this time they found themselves in an unfamiliar position: fending off a powerful comeback rather than initiating one. The roles were entirely reversed, with the Thunder now playing the role of the aggressor and displaying the “desperation” that Gilgeous-Alexander had spoken about.

Clutch Performances in the Closing Minutes

As the game entered its final stretch, it settled into a dramatic “punch, counterpunch” rhythm. Both teams traded big-time, tough layups, showcasing their determination and offensive prowess under pressure. Tyrese Haliburton, who had been relatively quiet, woke up in the final quarter, dropping eight crucial points. Not to be outdone, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered several clutch shots of his own. His jumper with just 2:21 left on the clock was particularly significant, as it put OKC in the lead for the first time in the entire second half. This basket was a testament to his brilliance and his ability to perform when it mattered most.

After the game, Gilgeous-Alexander succinctly summarized the intense nature of the series: “It’s a dog fight every time we step on the floor. On both ends of the floor, they make you work. And we like to make teams work. So, whoever imposes their will the best this series will come out on top and that’s our goal.” This statement perfectly encapsulates the competitive spirit and evenly matched nature of the two teams, highlighting the high stakes and relentless effort required to emerge victorious.

The Final Minutes: Free Throws and Missed Opportunities

The closing minute of Game 4 became a dramatic sequence of fouls, free throws, and missed shots that ultimately decided the outcome.

SGA’s Clutch Free Throws and Pacers’ Fouls

As the game entered its final minute, the Thunder managed to hold onto their newly acquired lead, while the Pacers struggled to get a shot to fall. With just 44 seconds remaining and the shot clock winding down, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander executed a twisting drive and a leaning jump shot. This masterful play resulted in a foul on Aaron Nesmith of the Pacers, sending the MVP to the free-throw line with a chance to extend Oklahoma City’s lead to a crucial two possessions. Nesmith fouled out on the play, a significant blow for Indiana in the dying seconds.

True to his reputation, SGA calmly sunk both free throws, pushing the score to 107-103 in favor of the Thunder. On the ensuing possession, the Pacers desperately tried to respond, but Myles Turner’s three-point attempt barely grazed the rim, failing to connect. Bennedict Mathurin was then fouled on the subsequent rebound attempt. However, he uncharacteristically missed both free throws, squandering a golden opportunity to narrow the deficit. Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren secured the rebound, further solidifying the Thunder’s position.

Frantic Finish and OKC’s Sealing Scores

With the ball back in their possession, the Thunder had a chance to put the game on ice. However, the pressing Pacers defense forced a turnover on the inbounds play, injecting more drama into the final seconds. In the ensuing scramble for the loose ball, Mathurin drew yet another foul. But once again, Mathurin struggled at the free-throw line, splitting his two shots to make it a four-point game with just 19 seconds left. This continued inaccuracy at the line proved costly for Indiana.

Remarkably, Mathurin committed yet another foul on the subsequent inbounds play, demonstrating the Pacers’ desperation but also their inability to avoid fouls in critical moments. This foul sent Gilgeous-Alexander back to the free-throw line. As he had done all night, and consistently throughout the playoffs, SGA drilled the free throw, extending the lead to 109-104. The Thunder also regained possession of the ball due to the specific foul situation.

Gilgeous-Alexander was fouled one final time in the waning seconds and, as expected, hit his free throws, setting the final score. The Pacers’ last-ditch heave at the buzzer clanked off the iron, signaling the end of the game. The Oklahoma City Thunder celebrated a massive and hard-fought victory, tying the series and seizing momentum.

Thunder Stuns Pacers, Evens NBA Finals at 2-2Classic Series in the Making

Game 4 of the NBA Finals delivered on all fronts, cementing this series as a potential classic. The Oklahoma City Thunder’s ability to rally from a double-digit deficit in the second half, fueled by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s phenomenal 35-point performance and clutch play, showcased their unwavering determination.

The shift in momentum, with the Thunder now playing the role of the late-game aggressor, added another layer of intrigue. Both teams have now proven capable of winning on their opponent’s home floor and thriving in tight, high-pressure situations.

With the series deadlocked at 2-2 and the action shifting back to Oklahoma City for Game 5 on Monday night, the NBA Finals is shaping up to be an incredibly evenly matched and unpredictable contest. The “dog fight” mentality described by Gilgeous-Alexander perfectly encapsulates the competitive spirit driving both squads.

The outcome will ultimately be decided by which team can consistently impose its will and maintain composure in the face of relentless pressure. Fans can anticipate an enthralling conclusion to what has become a truly memorable championship series.