Thunder Make NBA History After Game 4 Win Over Pacers
Thunder Make NBA History After Game 4 Win Over Pacers originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Oklahoma City Thunder flirted with disaster in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. However, in the process of avoiding a worst-case scenario, they made NBA history.
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After a tight contest throughout the first three quarters of Game 4, the Thunder were catapulted to a decisive 111-104 victory over the Indiana Pacers after a strong 31-17 fourth quarter. The win evened up the NBA Finals at 2-2.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was held without an assist for the first time in the entirety of 2024-25 NBA season. However, this season's MVP did deliver his usual dosage of scoring medicine, dropping 35 points.
It was the first time since 1962 that an NBA Finals game featured a performance that involved a player scoring 35-plus points and no assists. Jerry West was the last player to be in that elusive club.
That was not the only piece of history in this matchup for the Thunder. They set a new standard for an NBA team in a single season.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots the ball against Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) during the first half during game three of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
The NBA posted on Twitter/X, "After tonight's game, the Thunder have scored 12,205 points, setting a new NBA record for most total points scored across the regular season and postseason, passing the 2018-19 [Golden State] Warriors (12,161)."
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The Thunder are the new benchmark for scoring excellence in league history. Oklahoma City averaged 120.5 points in the regular season, and have continued that success with 116.2 in the NBA Playoffs.
There could be one key reason for the Thunder not wanting to be in the same company as the 2018-19 Warriors, though. That iteration of the Golden Dynasty wound up losing the 2019 NBA Finals.
Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors took down the Warriors in six games to win the Larry O'Brien trophy that season. However, the Thunder have already better-positioned themselves in an aim to avoid a similar disaster.
The 2019 Warriors fell behind 3-1 in their NBA Finals matchup. Meanwhile, after setting the new scoring mark, the Thunder will head home to Oklahoma City for a pivotal Game 5 matchup with the series tied.
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Related: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Makes Thunder Playoff History Despite Loss to Pacers
Related: Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin Makes NBA History in Game 3 vs. Thunder
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
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