INDIANAPOLIS — The Oklahoma City Thunder had a comeback of their own.
Trailing for most of the game, looking exhausted and exasperated, and facing a 10-point deficit late in the third quarter, the Thunder found a spark in the nick of time.
Oklahoma City defeated the Indiana Pacers 111-104 in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday, June 13, and evened the series at 2-2.
NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 15-foot baseline jumper with 2:23 left in the fourth quarter gave the Thunder a 104-103 lead, their first lead since late in the second quarter. Preceding that, Gilgeous-Alexander made a 3-pointer and Chet Holmgren had a key block.
Gilgeous-Alexander made two free throws giving the Thunder a 107-103 lead with 44 seconds left. Indiana’s Bennedict Mathurin missed three of four free throw attempts in the final 23.8 seconds.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 of OKC’s last 16 points in the final 4:38.
This back-and-forth series continues to deliver.
The Pacers’ offensive and defensive pressure stifled the Thunder for the first three quarters. But just as the Pacers keep playing until the final buzzer, the Thunder did the same in a game it looked like they would lose. Indiana took a 103-99 lead with 3:20 remaining in the fourth and didn’t make a field goal the rest of the game.
Oklahoma City had to overcome not only a deficit but its own poor shooting on 3-pointers (17.6%) and stagnant offense (10 assists on 37 made field goals).
Gilgeous-Alexander had a strange game in an odd victory for the Thunder – 35 points (10-for-10 on free throws), three rebounds and three steals but he did not have an assist. It was his 14th playoff game with at least 30 points.
‘We knew it (was a must-win) when we woke up this morning,’ Gilgeous-Alexander told ABC after the game.
Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams (27 points), Holmgren (14 points) and Alex Caruso (20 points) combined for 96 of the Thunder’s points.
The Pacers had another balanced scoring attack. Five players reached double figures in points led by Pascal Siakam’s 20 points, eight rebounds, five assists and five steals. Tyrese Haliburton had 18 points and seven assists, and reserve Obi Toppin contributed 17 points and seven rebounds.
Game 5 is Monday, June 16, in Oklahoma City (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC), and teams that win Game 5 of a 2-2 Finals win the series 74.2% of the time (23-8).
Both teams had little rest before Game 4. USA TODAY Sports provided the latest updates and highlights. See what you missed:
NBA Finals Game 4: Highlights
Final: Thunder 111, Pacers 104
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort capitalized from the charity stripe and Oklahoma City came back from seven down in the fourth quarter to win Game 4 and knot the NBA Finals at 2-2. Game 5 is Monday, June 16, (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC) in Oklahoma City. — Heather Tucker
3Q: Pacers 87, Thunder 80
It had seemed that every time the Pacers went on a run and tried to pull away, the Thunder came right back. With a 3-1 deficit just 12 minutes away, Oklahoma City will have to prove that again, with the Pacers taking a seven-point lead into the fourth quarter.
The biggest difference of this game has been 3-point shooting. The Thunder, perhaps affected by tired legs, have made just 2 of their 14 attempts from beyond the arc, for a staggeringly low 14.3%.
Compare that to Indiana’s clip from deep, 11-of-28 (39.3%), giving the Pacers a +27 advantage on 3-point shots.
The Pacers have four players in double figures in scoring, with forward Obi Toppin’s 15 providing a massive lift off the bench. Toppin scored eight in the period, including a pair of 3s during a key runmidway through the period.
Pacers forward Pascal Siakam leads Indiana with 20 points, and also has seven rebounds, five assists and five steals.
The Thunder have appeared fatigued, and are shooting 44.4% overall from the field. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has 20 points, Jalen Williams has 23 and Alex Caruso has 17 off the bench. Aside from that, the rest of the Thunder have just 20 points combined. — Lorenzo Reyes
Raptors superfan at Game 4 to support Pascal Siacam
INDIANAPOLIS — Raptors superfan Nav Bhatia is in attendance, supporting former Raptor Pascal Siakam who was part of Toronto’s 2019 championship team. — Jeff Zillgitt
Haliburton attempts first free throw of series before halftime
Tyrese Haliburton attempted his first free throw of the series with 28.3 seconds left in the second quarter, giving the Pacers a 60-57 lead at halftime of Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Haliburton got on the board quickly, knocking down a 3-pointer in the opening minutes to give the Pacers an 11-6 lead over the Thunder with 9:23 remaining in the first quarter. Then, he experienced a scoring drought.
Haliburton was held scoreless for over 20 minutes in the first half. He didn’t score again until there was 1:07 remaining in the second quarter.
He finished the first half with eight points, shooting 3-of-6 from the field and 1-of-3 from beyond the arc. He also added five assists and one steal. — Cydney Henderson and Jeff Zillgitt
Halftime: Pacers 60, Thunder 57
This is turning into a tight, back-and-forth game.
And with the potential of a commanding 3-1 lead hanging in the balance, the Indiana Pacers are carrying a modest, three-point lead into the half.
As they have all series, the Pacers are getting multiple contributions; all nine players who have stepped on the floor have scored at least three points, with forward Pascal Siakam (14) leading the way and Tyrese Haliburton scoring eight. He finally got his first free throw of the series in the second half.
In the first half, Indiana swung the ball and whipped it up and down the court, generating 15 assists on 21 made field goals.
For the Thunder, it has been more of a slog. NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has 12 points on 6-of-11 shooting, but he has recorded just two rebounds and failed to register an assist, steal or block. Oklahoma City forward Jalen Williams leads all players with 16 points.
One other interesting note, the Thunder have struggled significantly from 3, hitting just 1-of-10 from beyond the arc. The Pacers, meanwhile, started red hot from deep but cooled down, hitting 7-of-19 (36.8%) in the first half, to give them an 18-point edge from 3. — Lorenzo Reyes
Thunder guard Lu Dort called for flagrant foul
Just minutes after he was called for a flagrant level one foul, Pacers forward Obi Toppin was on the receiving end of one.
Perhaps in a move that was intended to send a message for Toppin’s hard foul on Thunder guard Alex Caruso, Oklahoma City guard Lu Dort swiped at Toppin during an attempted layup, making clear contact with Toppin’s head.
Toppin would split the free throws. — Lorenzo Reyes
Pacers forward Obi Toppin picks up flagrant foul
After a potential flagrant foul call wasn’t enforced upon review late in Game 3, one was called midway through Game 4.
During a breakaway layup attempt, Pacers forward Obi Toppin checked Thunder guard Alex Caruso, sending Caruso tumbling to the court. Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, in an attempt to protect his teammate, then confronted Toppin, who shoved Hartenstein.
Although the infraction was called as a common foul on the floor, upon review it was determined to be a flagrant level one, while Hartenstein and Toppin were given double technical fouls.
Caruso would hit both free throws. — Lorenzo Reyes
1Q: Pacers 35, Thunder 34
The Indiana Pacers punched first in Game 4, but the Oklahoma City Thunder responded.
After Indiana opened an early nine-point lead, the Thunder ripped off a quick 9-0 run midway through the first quarter to tighten the period. Through one, the Pacers are up by one, 35-34.
Pacers forward Pascal Siakam set the tone early, scoring 10 points on 3-of-5 shooting, though his defense — and his four steals — also gave Oklahoma City problems. The Pacers shot 55%, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range.
The Thunder doubled up Indiana in the paint, 16-8, as coach Mark Daigneault opted to return to his previous starting lineup that included Isaiah Hartenstein in a double-big unit. Forward Jalen Williams led all Thunder players with 12 points on 3-of-6 shooting, though he got to the line early, draining all six of his attempts there.
The Pacers are continuing to do a superb job of frustrating NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, pressuring him constantly. He has just four points on 2-of-5 shooting and has not attempted a free throw. — Lorenzo Reyes
Caitlin Clark among famous faces at NBA Finals Game 4
Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and former Pacers players Reggie Miller and Jalen Rose were among those in attendance at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Former NFL player Reggie Wayne, former NBA players Grant Hill and Charles Barkley and former Pacers Travis Best, Darnell Hillman, Detlef Schrempf, Austin Croshere, C.J. Watson, Haywoode Workman, Billy Keller, Dale Davis, Roy Hibbert, Metta World Peace, Jeff Foster, Brad Miller and Mark Jackson also came out.
Gonzaga men’s basketball coach Mark Few was in the crowd and former Indianapolis Colts player and media personality Pat McAfee was spotted. — Heather Tucker and Jeff Zillgitt
NBA Finals Game 4 tips off: Pacers off to hot start
The Indiana Pacers look like a team intent on taking a commanding 3-1 series lead in the NBA Finals.
Indiana stormed out of the gate Friday night, making four of its first five shots, including its first three tries from beyond the arc. The Pacers also continued their trend of pressuring Oklahoma City the entire length of the floor, something that appeared to grind the Thunder down in Game 3 on Wednesday, June 11.
In spite of the Pacers pressure, however, the Thunder opened the game reasonably well, shooting 42.9% from the floor on their seven attempts.
All five starters for the Pacers have scored at least three points, and Indiana has opened an early 20-12 lead through five minutes in the first quarter. — Jeff Zillgitt
What time is Thunder vs. Pacers game today?
The Indiana Pacers host the Oklahoma City Thunder for Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET.
Where to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers Game 4
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, Indiana)
TV: ABC
Stream: Fubo, Sling TV
Watch the NBA Finals with Fubo
NBA Finals Game 4: Thunder starting lineup
Jalen Williams
Chet Holmgren
Isaiah Hartenstein
Lu Dort
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
NBA Finals Game 4: Pacers starting lineup
Pascal Siakam
Aaron Nesmith
Myles Turner
Andrew Nembhard
Tyrese Haliburton
Isaiah Hartenstein back in starting lineup
INDIANAPOLIS — Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault has made another change to his starting lineup – putting center Isaiah Hartenstein back into the starting lineup instead of guard Cason Wallace, who started the first three games in place of Hartenstein.
Chet Holmgren and Hartenstein, who started in the first three rounds of the playoffs, have played just 10 minutes together during the Finals, but the Thunder have outscored the Pacers 22-15 in that time. After the Pacers scored 50 points in the paint in Game 3, Daigneault is looking for more rim protection in Game 4. — Jeff Zillgitt
NBA Finals Game 4: Thunder vs. Pacers injury update
There are no starters listed on the Game 4 injury report including Indiana guard Tyrese Haliburton, who was tremendous in Game 3 after walking with a limp following Game 2 and what he called “a lower leg thing.” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Pacers center Myles Turner wasn’t feeling well in Game 3. With a day between games, Carlisle said before Game 4 that Turner “seems to be better. But he’s going to play. As you say, he’s not on the injury report. I know he’s looking forward to getting back out there.”
Pacers backup forward Jarace Walker remains sidelined with a sprained right ankle. Carlisle said earlier in the series there’s hope he could return later in the Finals but that’s not guaranteed. — Jeff Zillgitt
How will the Thunder, SGA handle Indiana’s pressure defense?
INDIANAPOLIS — In Game 3, the Pacers “limited” MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to 24 points – six fewer than his playoff average of 30.1 – and forced him into six turnovers.
That is one aspect to watch in Game 4.
“I thought we were prepared for that,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said about 90 minutes before Game 4. “I thought we attacked it well for portions of the game. We had really good stretches. And didn’t attack it well enough for enough of the game. …
“We know they are going to pressure again. They’ve been pretty consistent with that. We think we have some solutions to that, but we got to go do it. We’ve got to have the will to have more force than they have pressure and physicality in the perimeter.” — Jeff Zillgitt
NBA 3-pointer reigns supreme for championship teams
The NBA’s 3-point shot has enemies.
Too many 3s, they say. The shot is ruining the game, they say.
And those critics of the 3-point shot found ammunition in the Eastern Conference semifinals of this season’s playoffs when the Boston Celtics attempted 60 3-pointers and missed 45 against the New York Knicks. The guffawing ignored the fact that Boston’s 3-point shooting was instrumental in its 2023-24 championship season and in its 61-21 record this season.
Regardless of your aesthetic view of how basketball should be played and what it should look like, the 3-point shot has turned divisive but remains vital to winning championships.
USA TODAY’s Jeff Zillgitt takes a deeper look at this divisive shot.
Caitlin Clark plans to attend Game 4
Caitlin Clark, who has missed five WNBA games with the Indiana Fever with a quadricep injury, said she was planning to be at Game 4.
‘Hopefully they can finish it out in five, because I won’t be able to come to Game 6,’ Clark told Tony East, who publishes AllPacers and covers the Pacers and Fever.
Clark, who will return with the Fever against the New York Liberty on Saturday, June 14, has seemingly been a good luck charm. The Pacers are 8-0 in postseason games she has attended. ‒ Heather Tucker
NBA Finals Game 4 referees
Scott Foster (18th Finals)
Josh Tiven (sixth Finals)
Sean Wright (second Finals)
Opinion: NBA wanted parity – and got it
If the NBA Finals matchup of the league’s 23rd and 27th-ranked media markets is supposed to spell doom for the league, it is a doom the NBA’s owners intentionally brought on themselves.
While two glitz-free Midwestern cities in the Finals might not have the celebrity pull the NBA has largely enjoyed through its historically successful franchises, it was an inevitable outcome once the league designed a collective bargaining agreement that dismantled its traditional cycle of superteams and dynasties.
Welcome to the new NBA, where championship windows are smaller, the life cycle of a roster is shorter and the number of teams that can win a title in any given year is beyond anything we’ve seen in our lifetimes. — Dan Wolken Read Wolken’s full column here.
Where is Game 4 between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder?
The Indiana Pacers host the Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
How many Finals have the Pacers won?
The Indiana Pacers have not won an NBA Championship. They have two Eastern Conference titles (2000, 2025).
How many Finals have the Thunder won?
The Oklahoma City Thunder have one NBA Championship. However, it came in 1979 when the team was the Seattle SuperSonics. They have not won a title since moving to Oklahoma City in 2008.
Thunder vs. Pacers NBA Finals picks: USA TODAY staff predictions
USA TODAY: Every expert picks the Thunder
Ahead of the series opener, all of the NBA experts at USA Today Sports picked the Oklahoma City Thunder to beat the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals
Scooby Axson: Thunder in five
Jordan Mendoza: Thunder in six
Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder in six
Heather Tucker: Thunder in five
James Williams: Thunder in six
Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder in five
Thunder vs. Pacers predictions, expert picks for NBA Finals Game 4
USA TODAY: Most pick the Thunder in Game 4
Scooby Axson: Pacers 118, Thunder 108
Jordan Mendoza: Thunder 109, Pacers 102
Cydney Henderson: Thunder 108, Pacers 106
Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder 106, Pacers 97
Heather Tucker: Thunder 103, Pacers 90
James Williams: Pacers 110, Thunder 104
Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder 111, Pacers 99
Thunder vs. Pacers odds: Game 4
The Oklahoma City Thunder are favorites to even the series 2-2 with the Indiana Pacers in Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Finals, according to BetMGM (odds as of afternoon of Friday, June 13):
Spread: Thunder (-6.5)
Moneyline: Thunder (-250); Pacers (+200)
Over/under: 227.5
How to stream NBA Finals Game 4: Thunder vs. Pacers
Game 4 between the Thunder and Pacers is available on ABC. Fans can also stream the action with Sling TV and Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.
Thunder vs. Pacers Game 4 TV channel
The Indiana Pacers host the Oklahoma City Thunder at 8:30 p.m. ET with coverage on ABC.
NBA Finals schedule: Pacers vs. Thunder
Game 1, June 5: Pacers 111, Thunder 110
Game 2, June 8: Thunder 123, Pacers 107
Game 3, June 11: Pacers 116, Thunder 107
Game 4, June 13: Thunder 111, Pacers 104
Game 5, June 16: Pacers at Thunder | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m.
Game 6, June 19: Thunder at Pacers | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m.
Game 7, June 22: Pacers at Thunder | ABC, Fubo | 8 p.m.*
All times Eastern; *-if necessary
NBA Championship odds
The Oklahoma City Thunder still remain the favorite to win the 2025 NBA Finals over the Indiana Pacers, despite being down 2-1 entering Game 4, according to BetMGM (odds as of the afternoon of Friday, June 13):
Series winner: Thunder (-250); Pacers (+200)
Updated NBA Finals MVP odds
Odds via BetMGM on Thursday, June 12
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-235)
Tyrese Haliburton (+275)
Pascal Siakam (+900)
Jalen Williams (+8000)
Chet Holmgren (+10000)
Bennedict Mathurin (+10000)
NBA playoff bracket
Eastern Conference finals
No. 4 Indiana Pacers def. No. 3 New York Knicks, 4-2
Western Conference finals
No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder def. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves, 4-1
NBA Finals
No. 4 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder (Pacers lead series 2-1)
Opinion: Pacers bench steals Game 3
Indiana’s bench stole Game 3, helping the Pacers to a 116-107 victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, June 11, pushing the Pacers to a 2-1 series lead.
A 10-year veteran, T.J. McConnell was a major part of a massive Pacers’ bench effort that reshaped the tone of the series, scoring 10 points, delivering five assists and collecting five steals.
Read more on the Indiana Pacers inspired Game 3 win via Jeff Zillgitt’s breakdown.
NBA Finals matchup: SGA vs. Haliburton
The 2025 NBA Finals is, in many ways, a celebration of the point guard.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s Most Valuable Player and the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar, and Tyrese Haliburton, the pass-first point guard with a penchant in the clutch, are each franchise’s hope to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Though they likely won’t match up directly all the time, the responsibility of guarding the other likely falling to more specialized defenders, Gilgeous-Alexander and Haliburton are reshaping the image of the point guard in the modern NBA.
USA TODAY’s Jeff Zillgitt and Lorenzo Reyes look at the Pacers and Thunder’s biggest stars.
NBA Finals: Complete Oklahoma City Thunder roster
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Chet Holmgren
Jalen Williams
Luguentz Dort
Alex Caruso
Isaiah Joe
Cason Wallace
Jaylin Williams
Aaron Wiggins
Kenrich Williams
Isaiah Hartenstein
Ousmane Diang
Nikola Topic
Ajay Mitchell
Dillon Jones
NBA Finals: Complete Indiana Pacers roster
Tyrese Haliburton
Pascal Siakam
Myles Turner
Benedict Mathurin
Obi Toppin
Andrew Nebhard
Aaron Nesmith
T.J. McConnell
Isaiah Jackson
Jarace Walker
Ben Sheppard
Johnny Furphy
James Johnson
Thomas Bryant
2025 All-NBA team
Oklahoma City Thunder guard and league Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic were unanimous selections from a panel of 100 global reporters and broadcasters who cover the NBA voted on the squad. View the complete list.
NBA champions by year
Winners over the last 20 years. For a full list of champions, visit NBA.com.
2023-24 — Boston Celtics
2022-23 — Denver Nuggets
2021-22 — Golden State Warriors
2020-21 — Milwaukee Bucks
2019-20 — Los Angeles Lakers
2018-19 — Toronto Raptors
2017-18 — Golden State Warriors
2016-17 — Golden State Warriors
2015-16 — Cleveland Cavaliers
2014-15 — Golden State Warriors
2013-14 — San Antonio Spurs
2012-13 — Miami Heat
2011-12 — Miami Heat
2010-11 — Dallas Mavericks
2009-10 — Los Angeles Lakers
2008-09 — Los Angeles Lakers
2007-08 — Boston Celtics
2006-07 — San Antonio Spurs
2005-06 — Miami Heat
2004-05 — San Antonio Spurs
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.