2 days ago
OKC Thunder rally to beat Indiana Pacers, level NBA Finals at 2-2
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers during the first half of Game 4 of the NBA Finals. PHOTO: REUTERS
INDIANAPOLIS – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said that it was a 'dog fight' as his Oklahoma City Thunder side rallied for a gritty 111-104 road victory over the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals on June 13.
The point guard scored 15 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter, helping his team level the best-of-seven series at two games apiece.
Frustrated for much of the game by Indiana's relentless defence, NBA Most Valuable Player Gilgeous-Alexander found a way to fight through.
He followed a three-pointer with a pull-up jumper to give the Thunder their first lead since the first half with 2min 23sec remaining.
They did not trail again, with their star man adding six free throws in the final 44 seconds.
'It's a dog fight,' Gilgeous-Alexander said after another intense, physical battle between the two teams.
'Every time you step on the floor, on both ends of the floor they make you work.'
Jalen Williams added 27 points, Chet Holmgren added 14 points and 15 rebunds and Alex Caruso chipped in 20 points off the bench for the Thunder.
Pascal Siakam scored 20 points to lead Indiana, adding eight, rebounds, five assists and five steals.
Tyrese Haliburton scored 18 points and Obi Toppin added 17 off the bench and the Pacers led by 10 late in the third quarter.
But Oklahoma City – who have yet to drop back-to-back games in the play-offs – clamped down defensively in the fourth, determined not to fall in a 3-1 hole.
'We knew it when we woke up this morning – 3-1 is a lot different than 2-2 going back home,' Gilgeous-Alexander added. 'We played with desperation to the end the game and that's why we won.'
He also said the Thunder must 'maintain the same desperation' when they host Game 5 on June 16.
One aspect they must improve in is their three-point shooting.
Oklahoma City were 34 of 38 (89.5 per cent) at the line but were just three of 17 (17.6 per cent) on three-point tries. The Thunder had not hit fewer than seven three-pointers in any game during the 2024-25 regular season or post-season.
Meanwhile, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle did not hide his disappointment after the loss.
'An inability to get key rebounds, an inability to get stops was part of it, and we got stagnant,' he said.
'But give them credit. They kept attacking, kept attacking, and their defence was great down the stretch. This was a big disappointment. But there's three games left.'
In other news, the NBA and WNBA have agreed in principle to terms for a multi-year global partnership expansion with the 2K video game, the leagues announced on June 13.
Also, 2K agreed in principle to terms to extend its relationships with the NBA G League and USA Basketball.
'NBA 2K has engaged a new generation of basketball fans in an increasingly digital world,' NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.
'By expanding our partnership and creating NBA Take-Two Media, we look forward to building on the incredible success of the NBA 2K franchise.' AFP, REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
