NBA: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder level Finals with late rally
Jun 13, 2025; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shoots a layup past Pascal Siakam during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Finals. (Photo: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images/REUTERS)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points, helping the Oklahoma City Thunder come back from a late deficit to beat the Indiana Pacers 111-104 in Game 4 and even the NBA Finals on Friday in Indianapolis.
The best-of-seven series is tied 2-2 heading into Game 5 on Monday in Oklahoma City.
The Thunder trailed by seven entering in the fourth quarter but outscored Indiana 31-17 in the last period to escape with the victory.
Oklahoma City closed with a 12-1 run over the last three minutes.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault changed up his rotation a bit, giving Gilgeous-Alexander breaks earlier in each half, and it seemingly paid off in the fourth.
Typically Gilgeous-Alexander sits early in the second and fourth quarters, but Friday, he sat late in the third and played virtually all of the fourth quarter.
With just less than four minutes remaining, the Pacers led 101-97 before Gilgeous-Alexander took over.
The NBA Most Valuable Player scored 13 points the rest of the way, making both of his field-goal attempts and all eight of his free-throw attempts to lift his team to victory.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished 12 of 24 from the field, 10 of 10 at the free-throw line with three steals, a block and just two turnovers. He had no assists.
With 2:21 left, Gilgeous-Alexander drove wide to the basket, pulling up from 14 feet out and hitting a step-back jumper over Aaron Nesmith to put the Thunder ahead for the first time in the second half, 104-103.
Jalen Williams also had a big game for the Thunder, finishing with 27 points and seven rebounds. He was 11-for-11 at the free-throw line. Alex Caruso added 20 points and five steals off the bench in the win.
Oklahoma City was 34 of 38 (89.5 percent) at the line but was just 3 of 17 (17.6 percent) on 3-point tries.
The Thunder hadn't hit fewer than seven 3-pointers in any game during the 2024-25 regular season or postseason.
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 20 points, starting hot with 10 points and four steals in the first quarter. He finished 6 of 15 from the field with five steals and eight rebounds.
Tyrese Haliburton added 18 points and seven assists while Obi Toppin had 17 points off the Indiana bench.
The Pacers made a push late in the third, with a 24-14 run to take a 10-point lead -- their largest of the night.
Toppin hit back-to-back 3-pointers during that stretch.
--Field Level Media/Reuters
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Jun 13, 2025; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shoots a layup past Pascal Siakam during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Finals. (Photo: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images/REUTERS) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points, helping the Oklahoma City Thunder come back from a late deficit to beat the Indiana Pacers 111-104 in Game 4 and even the NBA Finals on Friday in Indianapolis. The best-of-seven series is tied 2-2 heading into Game 5 on Monday in Oklahoma City. The Thunder trailed by seven entering in the fourth quarter but outscored Indiana 31-17 in the last period to escape with the victory. Oklahoma City closed with a 12-1 run over the last three minutes. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault changed up his rotation a bit, giving Gilgeous-Alexander breaks earlier in each half, and it seemingly paid off in the fourth. Typically Gilgeous-Alexander sits early in the second and fourth quarters, but Friday, he sat late in the third and played virtually all of the fourth quarter. With just less than four minutes remaining, the Pacers led 101-97 before Gilgeous-Alexander took over. The NBA Most Valuable Player scored 13 points the rest of the way, making both of his field-goal attempts and all eight of his free-throw attempts to lift his team to victory. Gilgeous-Alexander finished 12 of 24 from the field, 10 of 10 at the free-throw line with three steals, a block and just two turnovers. He had no assists. With 2:21 left, Gilgeous-Alexander drove wide to the basket, pulling up from 14 feet out and hitting a step-back jumper over Aaron Nesmith to put the Thunder ahead for the first time in the second half, 104-103. Jalen Williams also had a big game for the Thunder, finishing with 27 points and seven rebounds. He was 11-for-11 at the free-throw line. Alex Caruso added 20 points and five steals off the bench in the win. Oklahoma City was 34 of 38 (89.5 percent) at the line but was just 3 of 17 (17.6 percent) on 3-point tries. The Thunder hadn't hit fewer than seven 3-pointers in any game during the 2024-25 regular season or postseason. Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 20 points, starting hot with 10 points and four steals in the first quarter. He finished 6 of 15 from the field with five steals and eight rebounds. Tyrese Haliburton added 18 points and seven assists while Obi Toppin had 17 points off the Indiana bench. The Pacers made a push late in the third, with a 24-14 run to take a 10-point lead -- their largest of the night. Toppin hit back-to-back 3-pointers during that stretch. --Field Level Media/Reuters
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