SGA & Thunder Rally Late, Even Series at 2-2, Headed Back to OKC
The Oklahoma City Thunder made a late fourth-quarter push in Game Four to steal a 111–104 win on the road. Reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s clutch fourth quarter, along with 35 points, rallied the Thunder to 2–2 in this series. Forward Jalen Williams' 27-point night provided a reliable scoring option outside of SGA and helped OKC make runs to keep them in the game at times. While Indiana controlled the first three quarters, it was their turn to go quiet in the fourth.
Pacers Start Strong, but OKC Remains Within Reach
The Indiana Pacers opened the game 20–12 in the first 4:58 and eventually took a 24–15 lead. Amidst a high-scoring quarter, OKC answered with a 9–0 run of their own as the two teams traded buckets. Jalen Williams' 12 first-quarter points helped OKC score a series high 34 points in the opening period, despite trailing 35–34 heading to the second. Similar to Game Three, T.J. McConnell provided an energetic spark off the bench in the second quarter. With four points and one assist in just the first 4:33, he helped lead another strong bench showing for the Indiana Pacers. Indiana star forward Pascal Siakam helped the Pacers close strong, scoring 14 in the first half as they took a 60–57 lead heading into the second half.
Pacers Go Quiet, SGA Takes Over
Indiana’s aggressive push and three-point shooting helped them build an eight-point lead after forward Obi Toppin hit back-to-back three-pointers, giving them an 80–72 lead. The Pacers maintained control of Game Four as they entered the fourth quarter up 87–80. However, poor scoring efforts in the fourth quarter and an SGA takeover proved to be too much to overcome. Up until the 4:38 mark, SGA hadn’t contributed offensively to that point. He would hit a five-foot jumper to even the game at 97. He would go on to score 13 more down the stretch, totaling 15 in the quarter. Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton’s efforts would once again prove to be too late, as he scored eight points in the final period. Crucial in-bounds fouls and missed free throws from Game Three star, Bennedict Mathurin, put the game out of reach as OKC would close out Game Four with a final score of 111–104.
Game Five of the Finals as Series Shifts Back to OKC
With the series even at 2–2, the race for two more is on. Desperately needing Game Four, the Oklahoma City Thunder regained home-court advantage and once again captured the series momentum. For the Pacers, Game Four is a crushing blow, but not all hope in their title quest is lost. Having a 7–2 away game record this postseason, a Game Five win would still give them the opportunity to close out the series on their home floor in Game Six. As the Thunder return home with a renewed belief, the Pacers look to continue to prove themselves as the underdogs this postseason.
