With ten minutes remaining in Recreation 4 of the NBA Finals, it appeared 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 seemed to be within the steadiness early within the fourth quarter (sport log HERE).
OKC’s probabilities to win this collection have been driving 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 staff to come back 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 sport in the course of 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 Curry
Luka Doncic
Shai 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 stress wasn’t the identical due to that. We have been in a position to get out and play our sport. It at all times begins with stops for us. We have got to determine a method to swim collectively for a 48-minute sport, however we did sufficient to get a W tonight.
“We knew it (was a must-win) after we awakened this morning. 3-1 is loads completely different than 2-2 going again residence. We performed with desperation to finish the sport, and that is why we gained. We’ve received to try to preserve the identical desperation going into Recreation 5, Recreation 6, or no matter it might 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 the whole 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 sphere as a staff (42.5 %), together with 11-of-36 of its 3-point makes an attempt. Indiana shot 37-of-78 from the sphere (47.4 %) total, higher than the Thunder, however the Pacers’ 3-of-17 clip (17.6 %) from 3-point vary proved to be deadly.
