INDIANAPOLIS, June 14, 2025: Down by 10 and on the verge of losing their title hopes, the Oklahoma City Thunder made a wild push. MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander racked up 15 points in just under five minutes, helping the team rally past the Indiana Pacers 111-104 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse Friday. With this win, the NBA Finals are locked at 2-2 and what looked like an easy crowning is now a tight best-of-three clash.
The Pacers, charged up by a packed home crowd, seemed ready to take charge of the series. Obi Toppin’s big dunk late in the third quarter sealed a 27-point frame for Indiana, putting them up by ten for the first time in the Finals at 86 to 76. Pascal Siakam collected 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 steals and Tyrese Haliburton had 18 points and 7 assists, picking OKC apart while the Thunder’s shooters hit just 3 of 16 threes.
“We played with desperation to end the game,” Gilgeous-Alexander told ESPN amid the locker room roar. “That’s why we won.”
Indiana’s fourth-quarter collapse came from a mix of MVP-level plays and their own errors.
- The SGA Onslaught – With only two free throws attempted through three quarters, Gilgeous-Alexander still racked up 35 points and sank all 10 free throws, becoming a nightmare for defenders. He kept slashing into the lane all the time and got fouled eight times just in the fourth quarter. At 2:23 he hit a tricky step-back jumper that put OKC ahead 104 to 103 for the first time since halftime and they stayed in front after that.
- Indiana’s Offensive Blackout – The Pacers could only get one assist in the last quarter. Haliburton threw up an air ball on a huge three-pointer with 1:43 to go and didn’t notch a single assist in that stretch. Siakam, who was leading their attack at the start, did not score and lost the ball once.
- Mathurin’s Nightmare – Bennedict Mathurin, the backup guard who was praised for dropping 27 points in Game 3, messed up badly in the last minute. He failed to make three free throws out of four and fouled twice during inbounds, handing OKC four technical free throws and keeping possession. Indiana couldn’t come back after that five-point swing.
Everyone’s talking about Gilgeous-Alexander’s heroics but the rest of OKC did the groundwork.
- Alex Caruso – The defensive standout scored 20 points and swiped 5 steals as a sub, becoming the first player in NBA history to notch multiple 20-point games in the Finals without any in the regular season.
- Jalen Williams – He put up 27 points by constantly driving to the basket, making up for OKC missing their threes.
- Chet Holmgren – The rookie held it down in the paint with 14 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and made a big block on Aaron Nesmith to help fuel the comeback.
Coach Mark Daigneault gave Gilgeous-Alexander an early break to save his energy and it worked because the MVP turned up big when the team needed him most. Indiana’s offense slowed down near the end. Coach Rick Carlisle wasn’t happy with how the ball stopped moving, and the Pacers just couldn’t find good shots at the finish.
“He showed who he is tonight,” said Daigneault. On the Pacers’ side, Carlisle expressed confidence despite the loss: “This is a low right now and we’re going to have to bounce back from it.”
This victory kept the Thunder out of a tough 1 to 3 spot, which hardly any team has turned around in the last 38 NBA Finals. Next up is Game 5 in Oklahoma City on Monday night where OKC has the home court edge once more. Big plays from Jalen Williams, Caruso, and Holmgren have made the Thunder stronger and given great support to their MVP star.
Statistics Snapshot
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
| OKC | 34 | 23 | 23 | 31 | 111 |
| IND | 35 | 25 | 27 | 17 | 104 |
With a huge performance by MVP Shai Gilgeous Alexander, the Thunder turned Game 4 around and took back control of the Finals. Oklahoma City heads into a crucial Game 5 at home feeling confident and recharged. The Pacers have battled hard all series but now they have to put this loss behind them fast to regain their grip.