The Oklahoma City Thunder faced a must-win situation in Game 4, and they delivered when it mattered most. After a grueling back-and-forth battle, OKC pulled off a gutsy 108-104 victory, evening the series at 2-2 and avoiding the daunting 3-1 hole that has spelled doom for so many teams in playoff history.
From the opening tip, it was clear the Thunder understood the stakes. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the team’s unquestioned leader, came out aggressive, scoring 14 points in the first quarter alone. His mix of calm under pressure and explosive drives kept OKC afloat, especially as the opposing team seemed poised to pull away early. Shai finished the night with 32 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds, putting together a performance worthy of the playoff spotlight.
Yet it wasn’t just Shai. The Thunder’s supporting cast stepped up in crucial moments. Jalen Williams contributed 22 points and hit a pair of critical shots late in the fourth quarter. Rookie Chet Holmgren also made his presence felt, blocking two shots in the final minutes and anchoring the defense when OKC needed stops the most.
Still, the win didn’t come easy. The opposing side, led by a red-hot scorer, mounted a furious rally in the third quarter, erasing a 12-point Thunder lead and briefly taking the advantage. For a moment, it looked like OKC’s youth and inexperience might cost them dearly. Turnovers, missed free throws, and some rushed possessions gave the opponent hope. But the Thunder responded with maturity beyond their years.
A turning point came with about three minutes left. Clinging to a two-point lead, OKC forced a shot-clock violation thanks to suffocating perimeter defense. On the ensuing possession, Gilgeous-Alexander found Lu Dort in the corner for a clutch three-pointer, pushing the lead to five and swinging momentum firmly back to Oklahoma City.
The final minute was a test of nerves. Free throws needed to be made, rebounds had to be secured, and defensive rotations had to be perfect. OKC, despite their young roster, looked like veterans down the stretch. After surviving a couple of last-gasp three-point attempts from their opponents, the Thunder celebrated a hard-earned win at center court, knowing just how vital it was.
Coach Mark Daigneault praised his team’s resilience afterward. “It wasn’t perfect — it was messy at times — but our guys stayed together, stayed tough, and made the plays we needed when it counted,” he said.
Avoiding a 3-1 deficit is critical not just for the obvious mathematical reasons, but for the psychological edge it provides. Down 3-1, the road back to win a series is historically slim. Now, with the series tied 2-2, the Thunder have flipped the pressure back onto their opponents. Game 5, set to take place back in Oklahoma City, suddenly feels like a pivotal showdown where momentum could fully shift in the Thunder’s favor.
For OKC, this win isn’t just about surviving — it’s about proving they belong. The future is bright, but the present matters too. And in Game 4, when everything was on the line, the Thunder rose to the occasion.
