Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 35 points lead the Thunder to a 111-104 comeback win over the Pacers in Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Finals, tying the series 2-2.
StatPro NBA Beat Reporter
In a game that felt like it was slipping away, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander simply refused to lose. In a stunning display of fourth-quarter dominance, SGA carried the Oklahoma City Thunder on his back, orchestrating a furious late-game comeback to defeat the Indiana Pacers 111-104. With the series now knotted at 2-2, the NBA Finals have been completely reset as the action heads back to OKC.
'It always starts with stops for us... we did enough to get a W tonight.' - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the team's defensive mentality.
With the game on the line and the Thunder trailing, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander activated his superstar mode. He scored 15 of the team's final 16 points, hitting clutch shot after clutch shot to silence the Indianapolis crowd. He finished the night with 35 points, capping off a 12-1 run in the final three minutes that completely flipped the script. It was a legacy-defining performance when his team needed it most.
This victory was anything but pretty. The Thunder's three-point shooting was abysmal, hitting just one shot from deep in the entire first half and finishing with only three made threes for the game. At one point, they faced a 10-point deficit and seemed out of sync. Yet, they found a way to win, relying on relentless defense and gritty drives to the basket, proving they don't need a hot shooting night to compete for a championship.
While SGA was the hero, he didn't do it alone. Jalen Williams was a constant threat, attacking the rim and pouring in 27 crucial points. In the paint, Chet Holmgren was a monster, posting a massive double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds. But the biggest spark came from the bench, where Alex Caruso's veteran presence and timely scoring resulted in 20 huge points, providing the offensive boost the starters desperately needed.
As SGA noted post-game, it all came down to defense. The Thunder's offense struggled, but their defense locked in when it mattered most. They held the high-powered Pacers to a single point in the final three minutes of the game. That defensive clampdown created the opportunity for SGA's offensive heroics and stands as the true foundation of this series-tying victory.
The series is now a best-of-three, and the Thunder have wrestled back home-court advantage. All eyes turn to Oklahoma City for a pivotal Game 5. With the Paycom Center crowd ready to explode, the Thunder are just two wins away from hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy. The grit they showed tonight proves they have what it takes. Get ready, OKC.
