The Oklahoma City Thunder stunned the Indiana Pacers in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, winning 111-104 to even the series at 2-2. The Thunder's victory was a remarkable comeback after a stunning loss just 48 hours earlier.
The Thunder's star player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, rebounded from a difficult start to score 35 points, including 15 of his team's final 16 points during the final five minutes. Oklahoma City's Jalen Williams added 27 points, and Chet Holmgren played through ankle and shin injuries to score 14 points with 15 rebounds.
The victory defied the trusty formula that leads to wins in the modern NBA. Indiana had been 17-4 at home this season when making more 3-pointers than their opponents. However, Oklahoma City made just three 3-pointers, its fewest all season by four, yet clawed its way back at the free-throw line, where it made nine more shots than Indiana.
The Thunder's coach, Mark Daigneault, praised his team's "blood-and-guts" win. He said, "That was just a great blood-and-guts win." The same Indiana team that entered unmatched in "clutch" scenarios, with a 9-1 record in playoff games within five points in the final five minutes, was outscored by 14 points in the fourth quarter and managed only five points over the final four minutes.
Indiana missed all eight of its 3-pointers and shot just 27.8% overall during the final quarter. Pascal Siakam scored a team-high 20 points, and Tyrese Haliburton added 18 points with seven assists but committed five turnovers.
Game 5 is Monday in Oklahoma City. Before tipoff, Oklahoma City altered its starting lineup by reinserting center Isaiah Hartenstein in place of smaller guard Cason Wallace. The new lineup, with both Hartenstein and fellow big man Holmgren, was a return to the combination Oklahoma City had used during the playoffs' first three rounds.
Despite a scary injury to Holmgren in the first quarter, the Thunder's adjustments and determination paid off in a big way. The star point guard, Gilgeous-Alexander, played off the ball for most of the game to keep him fresher later in the game. It was a risky move that paid off as Gilgeous-Alexander scored seven quick points in the final two minutes of the game to help Oklahoma City take its first lead of the second half and never relinquished it the rest of the game.
The Thunder's reserve player, Alex Caruso, also played a crucial role with 20 points off the bench. It was Caruso's second 20-point performance of the Finals off the bench after zero such games during the regular season.
The Thunder's victory was a huge disappointment for the Pacers coach, Rick Carlisle. He said, "This was a big disappointment. But there's three games left."
The series is now tied at 2-2, and both teams will look to gain an advantage in Game 5 on Monday in Oklahoma City.
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