Shai Gilgeous-Alexanders Heroics Ties NBA Finals: Oklahoma City Thunder Fight for Survival
INDIANAPOLIS — The stage was set, and the tension was palpable as the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers squared off in a thrilling NBA Finals matchup at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The newly crowned Most Valuable Player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, knew the stakes were high if the Thunder were to succumb to the Pacers' relentless pressure. As the Pacers' breakneck speed pushed the Thunder to the brink, whispers of fraud began to surface. But Gilgeous-Alexander refused to be intimidated. He knew that if he didn't fight, the bulk of the criticism would be directed his way. "I knew what it would have looked like if we lost tonight," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "I didn't want to go out not swinging. I didn't want to go out not doing everything I could do in my power to try to win the game." Nothing was easy for the ultimate rhythm player, who was hounded by fellow Canadian Andrew Nembhard. Gilgeous-Alexander could barely touch the ball without being swiped, swung at, or forced off his spots by the Pacers. But he sensed the opening, especially after the Pacers couldn't completely close the door in the third quarter. He darted through the door of opportunity in the last four minutes. Gilgeous-Alexander added his name to NBA Finals lore on Friday night, scoring 15 of his game-high 35 points in the last 3:52 to lead the Thunder to a 111-104 victory and tie this unexpected NBA Finals at two games each. His catch-and-shoot 3-pointer, his only make from distance on the evening, cut a four-point lead to one, and his step-back jumper gave the Thunder a 104-103 lead that they wouldn't relinquish. "I relish those moments, love the moments, good or bad," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "When I was a kid shooting at my driveway, I'd count down the clock for those moments. Now I get to live it. It's a blessing, it's fun, and I relish it." Game 4s in the last 15 years have produced performances that have validated premier stars like Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Dirk Nowitzki. Each of those performances tied the series and pulled their teams from the brink. The Thunder were under no illusions, which is easier to say in the backdrop of a win. "Our season is kind of on the line," Thunder forward Jalen Williams said. "We gathered ourselves in the last four minutes, doing just enough in the third to not get knocked out." The Thunder coach Mark Daigneault echoed Williams' sentiment, saying, "I thought that was the key to the game. They really had the wind to their back. We had some deflating plays. It was an easy game to give up on. We kept it in striking distance, eight, 10, then able to close it in the fourth."
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