Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Leads Thunder to Victory in Game 4

With the game on the line and their season potentially hanging in the balance, the Oklahoma City Thunder turned to their star player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and he did not disappoint. Gilgeous-Alexander put on a masterful performance, scoring 35 points, with 15 of those coming in the final 4:38 of the game, leading the Thunder to a thrilling 111-104 comeback win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance, saying, “He definitely showed who he is tonight.” The Thunder found themselves down by 10 points in the second half, but Gilgeous-Alexander’s heroics helped them rally back and tie the series at two games apiece.

It was a one-man show for the Thunder down the stretch, as Gilgeous-Alexander almost single-handedly closed out the game with a 16-7 run, scoring all but one of those crucial points. “We played with desperation to end the game, and that’s why we won,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after the game.

Supporting Gilgeous-Alexander’s stellar performance were Jalen Williams with 27 points, Alex Caruso with 20 points, and Chet Holmgren with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Despite only making three 3-pointers in the game and Gilgeous-Alexander not registering an assist for the first time all season, the Thunder found a way to come out on top.

On the Pacers’ side, Pascal Siakam led the way with 20 points, followed by Tyrese Haliburton with 18 points and Obi Toppin with 17 points. Game 5 of the series is now essentially a best-of-three, with the Thunder regaining home-court advantage.

For the Pacers, this loss was a tough pill to swallow, as they missed an opportunity to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. Teams with a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals have historically gone on to win the championship, making Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance even more crucial for the Thunder.

Despite a strong start from the Pacers, the Thunder fought back and weathered a chippy game that saw some heated moments between the two teams. Toppin received a Flagrant 1 foul from Caruso and another one from Lu Dort, adding to the intensity of the game.

Ultimately, it was Gilgeous-Alexander’s clutch play down the stretch that secured the win for the Thunder. Tied at 91, 95, and 97 in the fourth quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander’s step-back jumper with 2:23 left gave the Thunder their first lead of the second half, which they held onto until the final buzzer.

With the series now tied, both teams will look to gain the upper hand in Game 5 at Oklahoma City. The Thunder have new life in the series, thanks to Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP-worthy performance that saved their season and kept their championship hopes alive.