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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander starred with 35 points on the day, as he helped Thunder fight back from a 10-point deficit against the Pacers to level the Finals at 2-2.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives as Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) defends during the second half of Game 4 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Friday, June 13, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oklahoma City Thunder posted a 111-104 come-from-behind win over the Indian Pacers on Saturday in Game 4 to level the NBA Finals at 2-2.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander starred with 35 points on the day, as he helped Thunder fight back from a 10-point deficit in the fourth game of the finals series.
“It’s a dog fight. Every time you step on the floor, on both ends of the floor they make you work,” Gilgeous-Alexander said following the win on the day.
“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 the game and that’s why we won,” he added.
Indiana started strong in the fast-paced first quarter in front of their energized fans, sinking four of their first five shots and building a nine-point lead midway through the opening period.
Oklahoma responded with a 9-0 run to tie the game, but the Pacers, thanks to a solid defensive effort on Gilgeous-Alexander and four steals from Pascal Siakam, finished the first period with a 35-34 lead.
The back-and-forth battle continued in the second quarter, with Oklahoma City leading by as many as six points, but they could never pull away. Haliburton completed a three-point play by driving through traffic for a layup and making the free throw, his first of the series, giving Indiana a 60-57 lead at halftime.
By that time, tensions had already escalated. Toppin was assessed a flagrant foul for a check that sent Alex Caruso sprawling under the basket. Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein confronted Toppin, and both received technical fouls. Oklahoma City’s Luguentz Dort was later assessed a flagrant foul for swiping an arm over Toppin’s head.
Toppin gave Indiana the first double-digit lead of the game with a dunk, putting them up 86-76 late in the third quarter. However, the Thunder fought back, tying the game three times in the fourth quarter before Gilgeous-Alexander stepped up.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle bemoaned the opportunity his side missed to go clear of the opposition in the series despite having led the fourth game of the finals.
“You’re up seven at home you’ve got to dig in and find a way and we were not able to do it tonight,” Carlisle said.
“But give them credit. They kept attacking, kept attacking, and their defense was great down the stretch,” he added.
(With Inputs From AFP)
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