With ten minutes remaining in Recreation 4 of the NBA Finals, it regarded just like the Indiana Pacers have been going to push the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder to the brink of elimination by going up 3-1. By way of three quarters, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s statline had followers on the web conjuring theories concerning his well being.
And but, when the ultimate buzzer sounded, the Thunder managed to flee Indianapolis with a seven-point victory, 111-104, a 14-point turnaround from the seven-point deficit they confronted when the sport gave the impression to be within the steadiness early within the fourth quarter (recreation log HERE).
OKC’s probabilities to win this collection have been using on the fourth quarter. Groups which have really feel behind 3-1 within the NBA Finals have misplaced 37 of the final 38 collection. The one group to return again to win down 3-1 in that time-frame is the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers.
MVP For A Purpose
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 of his 34 factors within the fourth, pushing his common to 32.8 factors per recreation through the NBA Finals. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 factors within the last 4:38 and 11 within the last three minutes. As well as, Gilgeous-Alexander grew to become the third level guard in NBA historical past to eclipse 600 factors in a single playoff run, becoming a member of Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic.
Level guards with 600+ PTS in a playoff run:
Steph CurryLuka DoncicShai Gilgeous-Alexander pic.twitter.com/xzB1ErTk6Q
— Polymarket Hoops (@PolymarketHoops) June 14, 2025
“We lastly strung collectively some stops,” Gilgeous-Alexander advised ESPN postgame. “We weren’t in a position to get stops. We weren’t taking the ball out of the basket, and their strain wasn’t the identical due to that. We have been in a position to get out and play our recreation. It all the time begins with stops for us. We have to determine a strategy to swim collectively for a 48-minute recreation, however we did sufficient to get a W tonight.
“We knew it (was a must-win) after we awoke this morning. 3-1 is lots completely different than 2-2 going again house. We performed with desperation to finish the sport, and that is why we gained. We’ve bought to try to keep the identical desperation going into Recreation 5, Recreation 6, or no matter it could be.”
Stat E book
The Thunder additionally obtained a big contribution from All-Star Jalen Williams, who scored 27 factors on 8-of-18 capturing. Alex Caruso added 20 factors in his half-hour off the bench, making seven of his 9 field-goal makes an attempt.
The Pacers led for many of the first quarter and practically your entire second half, extending that result in as many as 10 factors late within the third. Tyrese Haliburton scored 18 factors on 7-of-15 capturing (1-of-7 from 3), his third time being held under 20 factors in 4 NBA Finals video games. Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 20 factors on 6-of-15 capturing, whereas Obi Toppin added 17 factors and 7 rebounds off the bench on 7-of-12 capturing.
Oklahoma Metropolis made 34-80 makes an attempt from the sector as a group (42.5 p.c), together with 11-of-36 of its 3-point makes an attempt. Indiana shot 37-of-78 from the sector (47.4 p.c) general, higher than the Thunder, however the Pacers’ 3-of-17 clip (17.6 p.c) from 3-point vary proved to be deadly.
