Shai Gilgeous-Alexander carried the Oklahoma City Thunder to a key win. They defeated the Indiana Pacers 111-104 in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. The Thunder took home the win and evened their series up at two games a piece. Next, they head to a crucial Game 5 with their Western Conference rivals down in Oklahoma City on Monday. Gilgeous-Alexander put on a show that would make M.J. proud as he topped all scorers with 35 points on the day. He did well in the fourth quarter, where he scored an amazing 15 points.
During the course of the game, Gilgeous-Alexander was hounded at an elite rate by the Pacers’ defense. Even so, he persevered and fought through to carry his squad to win. His ability to adapt and perform under pressure was evident when he scored a critical three-pointer followed by a pull-up jumper, giving the Thunder their first lead since the first half with just 2:23 remaining in the game.
A Fourth Quarter to Remember
Gilgeous-Alexander erupted in the fourth, hitting six free throws in the final 44 seconds. This remarkable accomplishment underscored his talent for delivering when it’s needed the most. In fact, he didn’t even try a free throw in the first half. This demonstrates his determination and tactical change as the match developed. The Thunder finished the game on a 12-1 scoring run, led by none other than Gilgeous-Alexander.
As a result, his performance was largely responsible for the team’s success. It highlighted the platform afforded him by being one of the NBA’s Most Valuable Players. After the game, he was quick to talk about the need to carry this into Game 5.
“We knew it when we woke up this morning – 3-1 is a lot different than 2-2 going back home,” – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Thunder Coach Praises Star Player
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault had high praise for Gilgeous-Alexander’s impact on the team and locker room. He specifically pointed to the star player’s calm command under pressure as a major reason why they came back to win in a dramatic reversal.
“He’s unreal,” – Mark Daigneault
The Thunder responded with an inspired through by grit, togetherness, and shock resistance. These attributes show exactly what Daigneault has built in terms of culture and values within his team. As the Thunder get set to face Game 5, keeping that focus and intensity will be key.
The Pacers were understandably aggravated following the loss of what felt like a comfortable home victory. Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle wasn’t afraid to share his frustration. His squad wasn’t able to close the win even with a seven-point cushion in the 4th quarter.
“You’re up seven at home you’ve got to dig in and find a way and we were not able to do it tonight,” – Rick Carlisle
Looking Ahead
As Game 5 draws near, each squad knows that all the marbles lie in this winner-take-all contest. For the Thunder, a win would put them in strong position to seize command of the series. As they prepare to build on their success from this tough win, Gilgeous-Alexander’s leadership will become even more important.
The Pacers are going to have to make some serious adjustments and have supreme focuses to get back their control of the series. With both teams clearly displaying their talent and hunger, we can look forward to an amazing clash in Oklahoma City.
