Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Leads Thunder’s Stunning 4th-Quarter Comeback to Tie NBA Finals!

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put on a masterclass in clutch scoring, powering the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 111-104 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Finals, tying the series 2-2.

With 15 of his 35 points coming in the fourth quarter, the 2024-25 MVP lifted his team from the brink of defeat and into a commanding position as the Finals shift back to Oklahoma City.

Thunder Storm Back in Final Minutes

Oklahoma City trailed by seven entering the fourth quarter, but Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder defense flipped the script, outscoring Indiana 31-17 in the final frame. The Thunder scored 14 of the last 15 points, executing a near-perfect closing stretch that left the Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd in stunned silence.

Despite shooting just 3-for-17 from beyond the arc, Oklahoma City capitalized with dominance in the paint (50-36) and points off turnovers (25-23).

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Delivers in MVP Fashion

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 35 points on 12-for-24 shooting, adding 10-for-10 from the free throw line, three steals, three rebounds, and a clutch block that turned the momentum late.

When the game reached clutch time — final five minutes within five points — SGA took over. After a driving layup to tie the game at 97, he knocked down two free throws, a catch-and-shoot triple, and a baseline jumper on consecutive trips, giving Oklahoma City a 104-103 lead with 2:23 remaining.

He then sealed the win at the line, knocking down five more free throws in the final 44 seconds.

“We knew this was a must-win,” Gilgeous-Alexander said postgame. “I just tried to stay calm and be the guy my team needed.”

Jalen Williams Provides Key Secondary Scoring

While SGA was the closer, Jalen Williams was the engine throughout.

Williams posted 27 points on 8-for-18 shooting, knocking down a perfect 11-for-11 at the line, while grabbing seven rebounds and dishing three assists. His early scoring outburst in the first quarter kept the Thunder in the game after Indiana’s blistering start.

His combination of size, control, and aggression continues to be the Thunder’s X-factor on both ends.

Chet Holmgren Controls the Glass in First Finals Start

Rookie sensation Chet Holmgren registered a double-double in his first Finals start, replacing Cason Wallace in the opening five. Holmgren tallied 14 points, a team-high 15 rebounds (including four offensive boards), a steal, a block, and made key defensive contests.

While he struggled with foul trouble late, his interior presence gave the Thunder a needed edge in rebounding (12 offensive boards to Indiana’s 7).

“Chet was everywhere,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “He’s just scratching the surface.”

Alex Caruso: Steal Machine and Surprise Scorer

Alex Caruso turned in his second 20-point game of the Finals, shooting a sizzling 7-for-9 from the field, grabbing five steals, and adding two offensive rebounds. He provided veteran leadership and timely scoring — none bigger than his late tip-in to spark the Thunder’s fourth-quarter surge.

His relentless defense on Tyrese Haliburton in crunch time helped hold Indiana’s All-Star to just four points in the final quarter.

Thunder Lineup Shake-Up Pays Off

Coach Daigneault rolled the dice by inserting Isaiah Hartenstein into the starting lineup over Wallace. The move added size and rebounding, and while Hartenstein’s numbers were modest, his screening and interior defense proved invaluable.

Oklahoma City’s new starting five: Gilgeous-Alexander, Dort, Jalen Williams, Holmgren, and Hartenstein — appears to have found a rhythm just in time.

Pacers’ Hot Start Fizzles Late

The Indiana Pacers started fast, with four starters hitting threes in the first five minutes, leading to a 35-34 edge after the first quarter. Pascal Siakam was everywhere early, registering double-digit points and four steals in the first nine minutes.

Andrew Nembhard and Obi Toppin sparked runs in the second and third quarters, with Toppin’s consecutive threes and cutting dunk pushing Indiana to their first double-digit lead of the series.

However, Indiana’s offense stalled late, shooting just 4-for-16 in the fourth and missing six crucial free throws, including two from Bennedict Mathurin that could have trimmed the lead to two with 30 seconds left.

Haliburton and Nesmith Falter Under Pressure

After a strong showing in Game 3, Tyrese Haliburton struggled to find rhythm late. Though he ended with 17 points and eight assists, he was blocked on a critical 3-point attempt by Gilgeous-Alexander and turned it over twice in the final three minutes.

Aaron Nesmith, while hitting a big three earlier, missed key free throws and was stripped by Luguentz Dort, who converted one of two from the line after a Flagrant 1 foul by Myles Turner.

Flagrant Fouls, Physicality, and Momentum Swings

The game saw rising tensions, with Obi Toppin and Luguentz Dort each assessed Flagrant 1 fouls in the second quarter. The chippiness seemed to ignite the Pacers — until the Thunder’s crunch-time defense completely smothered Indiana’s movement.

OKC picked up four straight defensive stops late in the fourth, forcing the Pacers into isolation and rushed shots.

“That’s the DNA of this team,” Daigneault said. “Fight. Respond. Finish.”

Game 4 Statistical Breakdown:

Despite being outshot from distance, Oklahoma City’s advantages in paint scoring, rebounding, and defense proved decisive.

What’s Next in the Series?

With the series now tied 2-2, Game 5 heads back to Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, where the Thunder hold a dominant home record. Momentum is clearly on their side after stealing one on the road.

“We’re not satisfied,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “We’re going back home — now it’s about finishing the job.”

The Pacers, meanwhile, will need to regroup and find ways to free Haliburton from Oklahoma City’s aggressive switches and traps. Their three-point shooting kept them alive, but their interior defense and late-game decision-making must improve.

Can Gilgeous-Alexander Keep Dominating?

After a 35-point Game 4 explosion, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has now scored 30+ points in three of four Finals games. His poise, footwork, and foul-drawing mastery are giving Indiana nightmares.

With the Finals MVP now firmly in reach, Gilgeous-Alexander is elevating his legend with each clutch performance.

“He’s unguardable right now,” Jalen Williams said. “And we’re riding with him all the way.”