Shai Gilgeous-Alexander powered a late rally as the Thunder beat the Pacers 111-104 in Game 4, tying the NBA Finals 2-2.
INDIANAPOLIS (WE) — The Indiana Pacers were just ten minutes away from taking a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals. On their home floor, backed by a roaring crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, they had built a double-digit cushion, survived multiple Oklahoma City surges, and looked poised to put the Thunder on the brink of elimination.
However, what followed was a collapse that may define the series.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league’s 2025 Most Valuable Player, erupted in the closing minutes and led the Thunder to a stunning 111-104 win on Friday night. Oklahoma City outscored Indiana 31-17 in the fourth quarter, flipping what looked like a Pacers win into a devastating loss. As a result, the series is now tied 2-2 heading back to Paycom Center for a crucial Game 5.
“It’s frustrating, of course,” said Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers’ All-Star guard. “You want to win that game … but that’s not how the cookie crumbled.”
Indeed, the Pacers had full control late in the third quarter and early in the fourth. With 10:56 remaining, Obi Toppin threw down a thunderous dunk to give Indiana an 89-82 lead. The momentum seemed firmly in their favor.
However, things quickly unraveled.
Indiana missed 12 of its final 16 shots from the field. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City ramped up its defensive intensity and began chipping away at the lead. The Thunder tied the game at 89, then again at 91, 95, and 97. Each time, the Pacers found a brief answer.
Haliburton’s high-arcing layup restored the lead at 91-89. Shortly afterward, Andrew Nembhard hit a jumper to make it 93-91. Later, Haliburton added free throws to break a tie at 97-97.
Despite these efforts, Indiana could not pull away. The Thunder remained relentless.
“We had some deflating plays. It was an easy game to give up on,” said Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault. “But this group never quits.”
Eventually, the difference came down to execution in the final minutes.
The Pacers led 103-99 with 3:20 left. From that point on, they didn’t score again until a meaningless free throw with seconds remaining. In contrast, Gilgeous-Alexander scored eight points over the next three minutes. His performance — calculated, fierce, and unflinching — effectively closed the door on Indiana’s hopes.
“Fouls were an issue,” admitted Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. “Look, he’s a great player. That’s the other issue. He’s the MVP … But hey, you’re up seven at home. You have to dig in and find a way, and we were unable to do it tonight.”
Consequently, Indiana now faces the daunting task of needing to win at least one more game in Oklahoma City to capture the franchise’s first-ever NBA championship.
“I’m excited about the challenge,” Haliburton said with a determined tone.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the court, another unexpected hero emerged: Alex Caruso. The 31-year-old veteran has become something of a cult figure among Thunder fans during this playoff run. He scored 20 points in Game 2 — and did it again in Game 4.
In fact, Caruso made history.
No player had ever posted 20 points and five steals off the bench in an NBA Finals game — until Friday night.
“For the superhero reference, we’ll just do Robin because that’s the only one I can probably make some similarities to,” Caruso joked. “I’ve got better players around me that are doing more.”
That humility is central to Caruso’s story. He won a title with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in the pandemic NBA Bubble of 2020. Now, alongside Gilgeous-Alexander — the Batman of this Thunder team — he’s two wins away from another ring.
“He’s a competitive monster, clearly,” Daigneault said. “He’s proven that time and again over his career. Certainly in these playoffs … I can’t say enough about him as a competitor.”
Although Caruso is the oldest player on this Thunder roster, his impact has never been more vital. His teammates consistently credit him for his leadership and basketball IQ.
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“He plays the game, he thinks the game and he’s also coaching the game all at the same time,” said rookie forward Cason Wallace. “He’s always a few steps ahead.”
Caruso’s path to stardom has never been conventional. After going undrafted out of Texas A&M, he clawed his way into the league through the G League, eventually earning a roster spot with the Lakers.
Notably, Carlisle once passed on the chance to sign him when he was with the Dallas Mavericks.
“We brought him in for a workout,” Carlisle recalled. “Didn’t offer him a summer league deal. That one hurts.”
Despite those setbacks, Caruso never stopped grinding. Today, he is celebrated not just for his hustle, but for his postseason brilliance.
“It just comes down to really wanting to win, being super competitive,” Caruso said. “My career has unfolded the way it has because of that mentality. It’s led to the success I’ve had. It’s the reason I’m still in the NBA — and ultimately, why I’m here talking to you right now.”
Back on the court, Indiana is now left searching for answers. In addition to Haliburton’s steady performance, they’ll need more consistency from their supporting cast. Myles Turner contributed just 11 points. Bennedict Mathurin struggled with foul trouble and failed to make a meaningful impact. Furthermore, Nembhard’s clutch shooting dried up when it mattered most.
In contrast, Oklahoma City continues to rise to the occasion. Their youth, combined with Caruso’s veteran leadership and Gilgeous-Alexander’s superstar play, has created a potent combination. Their ability to close games is quickly becoming their hallmark.
As a result, Game 5 looms as the most pivotal contest of the Finals. Oklahoma City has not lost at home in these playoffs. Therefore, Indiana must dig deeper than ever before to steal another win on the road.
They did it in Game 1 — a stunning 115-109 win that set the tone for the series. However, replicating that feat will require a nearly flawless performance.
“We have to be better,” Haliburton said bluntly. “That’s the bottom line. This was a winnable game, and we didn’t close. But it’s a series. Nothing’s over.”
Still, the psychological blow of Game 4 may linger. A 10-point lead vanished. Offensive rhythm disappeared. Defensive lapses piled up. The Pacers looked exhausted and outmaneuvered during the final stretch.
Meanwhile, the Thunder looked poised, confident, and fearless.
Ultimately, Game 4 may prove to be the turning point of the Finals. While Indiana had the edge for most of the night, it was Oklahoma City who delivered the final, decisive punches. Gilgeous-Alexander’s late-game masterclass and Caruso’s historic night off the bench will be remembered for years to come.
Now, with three games left and the series tied, the pressure is on. Every possession will matter. Every defensive stop and every loose ball could determine who lifts the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
If the Pacers want to rewrite the narrative, they must respond with urgency and discipline in Game 5. Otherwise, the Thunder’s parade plans might begin sooner than expected.
For now, the series resets. The drama continues. And the margin for error disappears.
Indiana had a golden opportunity. Oklahoma City snatched it away.
