In a dramatic turnaround that could define the 2025 NBA Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder mounted a late-game surge to defeat the Indiana Pacers 111–104 on Friday night, leveling the series at two games apiece. Behind a sensational fourth-quarter effort from MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder flipped the script on Indiana’s trademark comebacks—setting the stage for a thrilling best-of-three finish with home-court advantage now in OKC’s favor.
Momentum swings west as Thunder storm back
Trailing by 10 points late in the third quarter, Oklahoma City looked destined to fall into a perilous 3–1 series deficit. But the Thunder, known for their grit all postseason, flipped the narrative with a composed and clinical final stretch that saw them outscore the Pacers 34–20 in the fourth quarter.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once again led the charge, dropping 15 of his 35 points in the final period, including a go-ahead jumper with just over two minutes left. “We played with desperation,” Gilgeous-Alexander said postgame. “We knew this was a must-win. Going down 3–1 is a whole different conversation than going home 2–2.” The victory not only evens the Finals but reclaims momentum for the Thunder, who will host Game 5 on Monday night. With both teams having now stolen a win on the road and proven their resilience in crunch time, the series is shaping up as a battle of attrition—with each possession taking on heightened importance.
A first half filled with fireworks
Game 4 opened with offensive energy not seen in the earlier contests, as both teams came out firing. The Pacers took a 60–57 lead into halftime behind a balanced attack led by Pascal Siakam’s 16 points. Seven of Indiana’s eight rotation players scored at least five in the first 24 minutes, keeping the Thunder’s defense spread thin. For Oklahoma City, Jalen Williams paced the early scoring with 16 points, while Gilgeous-Alexander had a relatively quiet half by his standards, contributing 12 points but tallying zero assists—a testament to Indiana’s focused defensive pressure. Despite the lack of playmaking from their MVP, the Thunder stayed within striking distance through smart ball movement and hustle plays.
The first half, marked by pace and parity, set the tone for a night that would be decided not by blowouts or runs, but by execution under pressure.
Pacers take control—then lose their grip
Indiana looked poised to pull away in the third quarter. A 9–2 run extended their lead to seven, and back-to-back threes from Obi Toppin brought the home crowd to its feet. When Toppin slammed home a two-handed dunk late in the third to push the lead to 10, it seemed like the Pacers were in complete control.
But the Thunder stayed composed. A quick bucket from Gilgeous-Alexander followed by a pair of defensive stops cut the lead to seven heading into the fourth. That margin shrank quickly as the final period opened, forcing Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle into an early timeout. The Thunder’s response, much like Indiana’s previous playoff performances, was relentless.
Instead of folding, Oklahoma City ramped up its intensity. Gilgeous-Alexander continued to attack, while Chet Holmgren and Luguentz Dort made key contributions on both ends. The game evolved into a tense exchange of big shots—layup for layup, stop for stop—as the clock wound down.
A masterclass in clutch from SGA
With the game hanging in the balance, Gilgeous-Alexander stepped up with the poise of a true MVP. His go-ahead jumper with 2:21 remaining marked Oklahoma City’s first lead of the second half and ignited a furious closing stretch.
Moments later, he drew a crucial foul on Aaron Nesmith while executing a twisting drive with 0.3 seconds left on the shot clock. Nesmith fouled out, and SGA calmly sank both free throws to give the Thunder a two-possession cushion.
From there, Indiana faltered. Myles Turner missed a crucial three. Bennedict Mathurin, aggressive but off rhythm, missed two free throws and then split a pair after another Thunder turnover. Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander continued to be unflappable at the line, hitting free throw after free throw to seal the win and finish 13-of-13 from the stripe. “He makes you work for every second,” Carlisle said of Gilgeous-Alexander. “You try to take away the paint, he hits the mid-range. You close out on the jumper, he drives again. He’s just been sensational.”
A series defined by toughness
Through four games, the 2025 NBA Finals have delivered a gripping back-and-forth battle. Each team has now won in enemy territory. Each game has been tight in the second half. And each side has showcased its own version of mental toughness.
For Indiana, Siakam has been a force, while Tyrese Haliburton’s ability to orchestrate in crunch time has been key. But Game 4 highlighted the other side of the narrative—the challenge of fending off a comeback instead of mounting one. As Gilgeous-Alexander said, “It’s a dog fight every time. Whoever imposes their will better is going to win this series.”
The pressure now shifts to Oklahoma City, where a pivotal Game 5 could tilt the series for good. Home court. A dead-even series. And two teams refusing to blink. This Finals may not feature the most decorated franchises, but in drama, execution, and heart—it’s quickly becoming a classic.
Game 5 tip-off: Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET
Series tied: 2–2
Location: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City
Let the fight continue.
