Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 35 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, and the Oklahoma City Thunder rallied to beat the Indiana Pacers 111-104 in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday night, tying the series at two games apiece.
The league MVP looked rattled early by Indiana’s swarming defense but came through when it counted most. He followed with a three-pointer and a jumper that handed the Thunder their first lead since the first half, with 2:23 left, and he preserved the lead by making six consecutive free throws in the final minute.
“We just played desperate from start to finish,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “That’s why we won.”
Jalen Williams contributed 27 points, Chet Holmgren had 14 points and 15 rebounds and Alex Caruso added 20 off the bench.
Pascal Siakam scored 20 points for Indiana, and Tyrese Haliburton and Obi Toppin had 18 and 17. The Pacers led by 10 points late in the third quarter, but Oklahoma City played tighter defense in the fourth to avoid falling into a 3-1 hole.
It was a physical affair with several flagrant and technical fouls for both teams. Game 5 is Monday back in Oklahoma City.
