Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lifts level in 4th as Thunder take NBA Finals Game 4 to level series against Pacers

Oklahoma City Thunder talisman Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lifted his level in the fourth quarter of the NBA finals as they levelled the seven-match NBA Finals series by 2-2. NBA’s MVP played a key role in the 111-104 comeback victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

SGA scored a total of 35 points, out of which he scored 15 in the last five minutes of the final frame. Alexander admitted his team would have had their backs against the wall if they had trailed by 3-1 in the series and he just wanted to give his all on the court.

“I knew what it would have looked like if we lost tonight,” said Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 15 of his 35 points in the final 4:38. “I didn’t want to go out not swinging. I didn’t want to go out not doing everything I could do in my power, in my control, to try to win the game.

“The guys deserve that much from me. The coaching staff deserves that much from me. I just tried to be aggressive but also let the game come to me, not try to force anything too crazy. I guess it paid off.”

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault showered praise on SGA for delivering for the team when it mattered the most.

“It’s unbelievable,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “He really didn’t have it going a lot of the night. He was laboring. We had a hard time shaking him free. For him to be able to flip the switch like that and get the rhythm he got just speaks to how great of a player he is.

“Again, it’s nothing we don’t know. But he definitely showed who he is tonight.”

Alex Caruso lauded his teammate, SGA, for being calm under pressure when the game was on the line.

“You wouldn’t know if it was a preseason game or it’s Game 4 of the NBA Finals down 2-1 with [Gilgeous-Alexander],” said Caruso, who had his second 20-point performance of the series after having none in the regular season. “That’s why we have such a good mentality as a group. That’s why we are able to find success in adversity.

“No matter what’s going on, you look at him and he’s the same. Underneath that stoic personality or look on the court is a deep, deep-rooted competitiveness. That is sprinkled throughout the whole team.”

The fifth game of the series will be played on Monday.