In Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, known as SGA and the regular season MVP, faced significant challenges through the first three quarters. Despite having scored 20 points, his team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, was struggling, outscored by 16 points while he was on the court, largely due to the aggressive defense of Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, a childhood friend. At that point, the Thunder were on the brink of falling into a difficult 3-1 deficit, a situation that only one team has managed to overcome in the championship series. Unable to assert his usual influence on the game and forced to play off the ball, Gilgeous-Alexander appeared to be faltering.
However, SGA rose to the occasion, demonstrating his skill and composure in the final moments of the match. He scored 15 points in the last four minutes and 38 seconds, playing a pivotal role in sealing the Thunder's 111-104 victory, thus swinging the momentum in the finals. "I just tried to be aggressive,” he said, acknowledging the weight of the moment as he considered what a loss would mean for the team's chances.
During the fourth quarter, all of Gilgeous-Alexander's points came in a crucial stretch, but it was not just his scoring that stood out; he also effectively navigated the Pacers' tough defense, often utilizing ball screens to create favorable matchups. He finished with impressive shooting stats in the fourth quarter, going 3 of 6 from the field while making all eight of his free-throw attempts. His remarkable performance was a significant turnaround from his scoring struggles in Game 3.
Prominent figures in the Thunder organization praised his resilient mindset. Oklahoma City center Chet Holmgren remarked on the impressive nature of Gilgeous-Alexander’s late-game heroics, while head coach Mark Daigneault noted the challenge SGA faced earlier in the game and emphasized his talent in flipping the script when it mattered most. Fellow teammate Alex Caruso also spoke to Gilgeous-Alexander's unshakeable demeanor, regardless of the game's circumstances.
It is essential to understand that SGA’s ability to shine in the clutch moments was made possible by the team's defensive effort, which curtailed the Pacers’ scoring in critical stretches. After a hot start early in the game, Indiana struggled to find its rhythm late, scoring only seven points in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter. This defensive pressure allowed Gilgeous-Alexander to thrive and ultimately level the series for the Thunder, turning the Finals into a best-of-three showdown.
In his reflection on the game, Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized the importance of capitalizing on key moments in high-stakes situations, a lesson he honed from his youth spent playing basketball. “Winning... comes down to late game... it comes down to the moments and who is willing to make winning plays,” he concluded, highlighting the thrill of competing at such a significant level.
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