NBA Finals: Thunder Edge Pacers in Game 4 with SGA's Clutch Performance
In a nail-biting Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shone brighter than ever, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a hard-fought 111-104 victory over the stunned Indiana Pacers. The game was knotted at 2-2, leaving both teams on the brink of glory.
Throughout the contest, Gilgeous-Alexander fought tooth and nail against Indiana's tenacious defense. The MVP candidate saved his best work for the final quarter, netting a remarkable 15 out of his 35 points to turn the tide in Oklahoma City's favor.
In the game's dying moments, with just 44 seconds left on the clock, Gilgeous-Alexander, who remained quiet from the free-throw line in the first half, nailed six crucial shots from the charity stripe to ice the game for the Thunder.
"It's a dog fight every time we step on the floor," Gilgeous-Alexander said after the intense, physical clash between the two squads. "Both ends of the floor, they make you work."
Besides Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams netted a game-high 27 points for the Thunder, while Chet Holmgren racked up 14 points and 15 rebounds, and Alex Caruso chipped in with 20 points off the bench. Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 20 points, but his efforts couldn't prevent the upset as the Thunder refused to capitulate.
Despite trailing by 10 points in the third quarter, the Thunder—who dropped back-to-back games only twice this season and never lost consecutive playoff games—mounted an impressive comeback, eventually tying the game four times in the final quarter.
"We knew when we woke up this morning, 3-1 is a lot different than 2-2 going back home," Gilgeous-Alexander explained. "We played with desperation to the end of the game, and that's why we won."
With Game 5 scheduled for Monday at home, Gilgeous-Alexander stressed that the Thunder must maintain its intensity and desperation to secure another victory. The Thunder are aiming to capture their first title since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City in 2008, having won the title previously as the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979.
The thrilling battle between the two teams began with a close opening half as both sides exchanged leads, each squad demonstrating an uncanny ability to outmaneuver their counterparts. The Pacers led 60-57 at halftime following a flagrant foul on Obi Toppin against Alex Caruso and a flagrant foul on Luguentz Dort against Toppin, which ultimately resulted in four technical fouls being dished out.
The frantic pace of the game gave Pacers fans plenty to cheer about early on, with their team building a nine-point lead midway through the opening period. Yet, the Thunder fought back valiantly, eventually tying the game before the intermission. The back-and-forth battles continued throughout the game until Gilgeous-Alexander's decisive run in the final minutes.
Toppin capped off a monster game for the Pacers with 17 points off the bench, but the Thunder's collective resolve proved to be too much for the Indiana squad to handle, as they outscored their opponents 12-1 in the game's final minutes to secure a vital victory.
[Subscribe to Al Jazeera Americas Coverage Newsletter]
[1] ESPN Staff. (2023, May 16). Game 4 results: Thunder force Game 5 with dominating second half; Series tied 2-2. Retrieved May 20, 2023, fromhttps://www.espn.com/nba/scoreboard[3] NBA.com Staff. (2023, May 16). Game 4 box score: OKC Thunder 111, IND Pacers 104. Retrieved May 20, 2023, fromhttps://www.nba.com/game/okc-vs-ind-0022100156
- Despite the intense competition in politics and sports, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder demonstrated that he's a formidable MVP candidate in the NBA, similar to a skilled politician navigating through challenges.
- The NBA Finals not only showcase spectacular sports action but also possess the drama and unpredictability found in political elections.
- Just as a political explainer breaks down complex issues into simpler terms, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's outstanding play in Game 4, including his clutch free throws, helped clarify the Thunder's path to victory in their quest for the NBA championship.
