The NBA Finals are heating up! Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a crucial 111-104 victory over the Indiana Pacers, leveling the series at 2-2. The game, played in Indianapolis, saw a late Thunder surge fueled by Gilgeous-Alexander's impressive 35-point performance.
The Pacers held a significant lead heading into the fourth quarter, but the Thunder outscored them 31-17 in the final period. A 12-1 run in the last three minutes sealed the win for Oklahoma City. Gilgeous-Alexander, this season's MVP, proved his worth, scoring 15 of the Thunder's final 16 points and going perfect from the free-throw line.
Key Moments and Performances
Despite the team struggling from beyond the arc, Gilgeous-Alexander's clutch shooting and overall dominance proved too much for the Pacers. Jalen Williams added 27 points and seven rebounds, while Alex Caruso chipped in with 20 points off the bench.
For the Pacers, Pascal Siakam led the way with 20 points, followed by Tyrese Haliburton with 18. However, the Pacers struggled to execute down the stretch, missing key shots and allowing the Thunder to capitalize.
Gilgeous-Alexander Joins Elite Company
With his outstanding performance, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joined Steph Curry and Luka Doncic as the only point guards in NBA history to score over 600 points in a single playoff run! This achievement highlights his incredible scoring ability and leadership throughout the postseason.
What's Next?
The series now shifts back to Oklahoma City for Game 5. The Thunder will look to maintain their momentum and take the lead in the series. The Pacers, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find a way to contain Gilgeous-Alexander if they want to regain control of the Finals.
- Game 5: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers - Monday at Paycom Center
- The series is tied 2-2
- Gilgeous-Alexander's performance could be pivotal for the Thunder's championship aspirations.