At the Buzzer: R4G4 — Thunder 111, Pacers 104 | Win Slips From Indiana's Grasp
A golden opportunity slips away for the Pacers as the Thunder rally late to steal Game 4.
It’s Game 102 of the season for the Pacers — and their 20th playoff game. They’re aiming to do what the 2000 Finals team could not: win both Games 3 and 4 at home.
This marks Day 9 of what could be an 18-day battle. The coaching staff continues to stress the same message: take it one day at a time and never look ahead.
Myles Turner is among several Pacers feeling under the weather, but nothing was going to keep them out of such a pivotal game.
On the other side, the pressure is squarely on the Thunder. They were the dominant team all season, entered the Finals as heavy favorites, and were favored again for the fourth straight game.
They’re also 5–0 in the playoffs following a loss — but something has to give.
Unlike Games 2 and 3, the teams had just one day between games — which should favor the Pacers, the better conditioned team. The Thunder were clearly run down and worn out in the fourth quarter of Game 3 on Wednesday.
Pacers fans waited all day for this one. Now the question is: can Indiana deliver again?
The game officials were Scott Foster, Josh Tiven, Sean Wright, and Courtney Kirkland (alternate).
Jarace Walker (right ankle sprain) and Nikola Topic (left knee surgery) were both out.
The ESPN announcing crew — for the entire series: Mike Breen, Doris Burke, Richard Jefferson, and Jorge Sedano.
Sports books favored the Thunder by 6 points.
Watch my live postgame show in the media player below:
🏀How it happened: The Pacers led at the end of each of the first three quarters — but not the one that matters most. They were outscored 31–17 in the final period, including 12–1 over the last 2:58, in a 111–104 loss to the Thunder.
It was a game that featured 53 fouls and 71 free throws, which slowed the pace and disrupted both teams’ rhythm.
The Pacers let this one slip through their hands. They were on the verge of grabbing a 3–1 stranglehold on the series, needing just one more win. Instead, the Thunder evened the series at 2–2 — and as it returns to Oklahoma City, it’s now a best-of-three.
I hope the intensity of this game and series has come through on your television. There were many moments in Game 4 where I found myself glancing around the stands during stoppages, amazed to see everyone standing and fully engaged — first half, second half, it didn’t matter.
If the Pacers end up losing this series, though, they’ll look back on the fourth quarter of this game with great regret. If they win, they may view it as a wash — given how they escaped Game 1 with a win.
Before Friday’s game tipped off, the Thunder made a change to their starting lineup, going back to Isaiah Hartenstein over Cason Wallace. Neither player had much of an impact, but it marked the first lineup adjustment once the series began.
The Pacers couldn’t have started and finished the game more differently. They opened by hitting four of their first five 3s — including three in a row — made by four different starters.
They closed the game by missing all eight of their 3-point attempts in the fourth quarter.
They assisted on eight of their first nine field goals but recorded just one assist on five makes in the final 12 minutes.