Game 4 of the NBA Finals saw the Oklahoma City Thunder rally from a significant deficit to defeat the Indiana Pacers 111-104, evening the series at two games apiece. This hard-fought victory allowed the Thunder to reclaim home-court advantage as the series shifts back to Oklahoma City for Game 5. The pivotal contest, held on Friday night, was a testament to the Thunder's resilience, marking their sixth straight win in the playoffs following a loss, and ensuring they have not lost consecutive games this postseason.

The game began with the Pacers setting a fast pace, quickly building a nine-point lead in the first quarter, backed by an energetic home crowd. Despite Oklahoma City's 9-0 run to tie, Indiana maintained a narrow 35-34 lead by the end of the first period, showcasing a strong defensive effort on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and key steals from Pascal Siakam. The back-and-forth battle continued into the second quarter, where the Thunder briefly led by as many as six points, but the Pacers, propelled by Tyrese Haliburton's first free throw of the series via a three-point play, held a 60-57 advantage at halftime.

Tensions flared in the second quarter, highlighting the physical nature of the series. Pacers forward Obi Toppin was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul for a hard check on Thunder guard Alex Caruso, sending him sprawling. This led to a confrontation between Toppin and Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, both receiving technical fouls after review. Later, Oklahoma City's Luguentz Dort was also called for a Flagrant 1 after swiping at Toppin's head, further emphasizing the intense physicality on display.

The Pacers extended their lead in the third quarter, at one point reaching their largest margin of the night with a 10-point advantage (86-76) following a soaring dunk from Obi Toppin. Despite Indiana's seemingly comfortable position, leading 87-80 heading into the final period, the Thunder remained determined not to fall into a daunting 3-1 series hole. This desperation fueled a remarkable fourth-quarter performance, where Oklahoma City's defense intensified, holding the Pacers to just 17 points in the final frame compared to their own 31.

The fourth quarter was dominated by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 15 of his game-high 35 points in the final 4:38, leading the Thunder's decisive rally. Gilgeous-Alexander, who had been frustrated by Indiana's defense and hadn't attempted a free throw in the first half, hit crucial shots including a three-pointer and a pull-up jumper that gave the Thunder their first lead since the first half with 2:23 remaining. He sealed the win with six free throws in the final 44 seconds, finishing a perfect 10-of-10 from the line. Notably, Gilgeous-Alexander finished with zero assists for the first time in five years, a rare stat line not seen in the NBA Finals since Jerry West in 1962 or Joe Fulks in 1947, reflecting a game where OKC as a team recorded only 10 assists.

Supporting Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP performance were key contributions from his teammates. Jalen Williams added 27 points, hitting all 11 of his free-throw attempts. Alex Caruso delivered a stellar performance off the bench with 20 points and five steals, providing crucial defense and offensive efficiency. Rookie center Chet Holmgren was a force in the paint, contributing 14 points and 15 rebounds, anchoring the defense as Indiana's shooting cooled off. For the Pacers, Pascal Siakam led with 20 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and five steals, while Tyrese Haliburton scored 18 points and Obi Toppin chipped in 17 off the bench. However, Haliburton took responsibility for the team's late collapse, citing a failure to maintain pace and generate offensive flow, as the Pacers managed only one field goal in the final five minutes.

Indiana's late-game struggles were evident in several missed opportunities. Obi Toppin missed crucial free throws late in the third quarter that could have extended their lead, and Bennedict Mathurin, a hero in Game 3, had a rough fourth quarter, missing three free throws and committing two critical off-ball fouls on inbounds plays that gifted the Thunder free throws and possession. The Pacers' offense faltered, going scoreless from the field in the final 3:20, allowing Oklahoma City to complete their comeback. This dramatic turnaround sets up a thrilling best-of-three series, with Game 5 scheduled for Monday night in Oklahoma City.