Pacers defeated by Thunder in response game, NBA Finals now stand even at 2-2 games each.
In yet another intense, physical clash between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers, the MVP of the NBA, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, shined brightest. Locking horns in a relentless defensive showdown, the Thunder found themselves struggling early on. However, Gilgeous-Alexander refused to back down.
With just 2 minutes and 23 seconds remaining, he sunk a three-pointer, followed by a pull-up jumper, securing the Thunder's first lead since the initial half. The Pacers couldn't catch up again. Gilgeous-Alexander, who had been left out of the free-throw line in the first half, made up for it in the final 44 seconds with six free-throws.
"It's a dog fight," Gilgeous-Alexander stated after the game, expressing his sentiments about the heated encounter. "Every time you step on the floor, on both ends of the floor, they make you work."
Jalen Williams scored a commendable 27 points, Chet Holmgren added 14 points and 15 rebounds, and Alex Caruso contributed 20 points off the bench for the Thunder. Pascal Siakam scored 20 points and hauled in eight rebounds for the Pacers, while Tyrese Haliburton scored 18 points and Obi Toppin added 17 points off the bench.
The Pacers initially dominated, building a 9-point lead mid-quarter one, but the Thunder fought back, tying the game. However, the Pacers managed to end the first period with a narrow 35-34 lead.
The back and forth contest continued in the second, with the Thunder leading by six at one point, but the Pacers' sturdy defense on Gilgeous-Alexander and four steals from Siakam kept them competitive. The Pacers led by 7 at halftime.
The Pacers seemed poised to take a commanding 3-1 lead, but the Thunder demonstrated their resilience, rallying back and tying the game several times in the fourth quarter. Gilgeous-Alexander stepped up in the clutch, leading the Thunder to a 12-1 scoring run in the final minutes and sealing the game for the Thunder.
"He's unreal," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised Gilgeous-Alexander after the victory. On the other hand, Caruso shared, "I've seen him do it night after night. He doesn't show a lot of emotion on the court, but he's one of the most competitive guys in this league."
As the series is knotted at 2-2, the Thunder will play host to game five on Monday. The Thunder are striving for their first title since relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008, having won it all in 1979 as the Seattle SuperSonics. The Pacers, in pursuit of their first NBA title, will seek to regroup and recover in the remaining games.
India did not feature in the NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, however, showcased his basketball skills, playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the sports event.
