Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

OKC Thunder Regain Finals Advantage After Season-Long Push

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Frederick Okocha | Last updated Jun 14, 2025 7:58 AM ET

INDIANAPOLIS – The Oklahoma City Thunder evened their playoff series 2-2 with a gutsy 111-104 victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Critics had questioned their poise after a lopsided Game 3 loss, citing their youth and inexperience. But with their season teetering, the Thunder responded. They erased a seven-point fourth-quarter deficit and surged ahead at the buzzer. The comeback wasn’t just symbolic for the OKC Thunder —it restored home-court advantage, which they fought for all season.

OKC Thunder Regain Finals Advantage After Season-Long Push

Pacers Miss Critical Chance

Jun 13, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) passes past Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) and center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) during the second quarter of game four of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Indiana Pacers squandered an opportunity to take a commanding 3-1 lead. That cushion, in most playoff scenarios, proves insurmountable. Teams are 13-272 when down 3-1. They had stunned the Thunder in Game 1, winning despite leading for just three-tenths of a second. After dominating Game 3, Indiana’s fans expected a repeat performance in Game 4.

Oklahoma City had other plans.

The Thunder halted Indiana’s momentum with a timely and emphatic response.

MVP Shines When It Counts

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, led the charge.

He scored 15 points in the final 4 minutes and 38 seconds, including a clutch three-pointer that trimmed a late deficit to one. That shot marked just Oklahoma City’s third make from beyond the arc all game.

“I just tried to be aggressive,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I knew what it would’ve looked like if we lost tonight…I didn’t want to go down not swinging.”

He finished with 35 points and three steals. Jalen Williams, his All-Star teammate, added 27 points.

Thunder Close on a Tear

Indiana tied the game four times in the fourth quarter. Still, they couldn’t seize control. Gilgeous-Alexander took over in the final minutes. Oklahoma City closed on a 12-1 run, and Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 of the team’s final 16 points.

His scoring barrage overwhelmed Indiana’s defense, and the Thunder never looked back.

Eyes on the Paycom Center

Game 5 will tip off Monday in Oklahoma City. With home-court advantage restored, the Thunder now need only to win their two home games to reach the NBA Finals.

That’s no small edge.

Oklahoma City posted a 36-6 record at the Paycom Center during the regular season. Against Eastern Conference teams, they went 29-1. Even in defeat, the Thunder led Games 1 and 2 for all but three combined minutes.

That kind of control matters.

With the series tied, momentum shifting, and MVP-caliber leadership emerging, the Thunder’s title dreams feel less like hype—and more like reality.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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