Thunder’s Secret Weapon: How Team Synergy Fueled Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Stunning Game 4 Finale Against Pacers

In the heart of Indianapolis, the 2025 NBA Finals have unfolded into a stirring saga of grit, talent, and unmistakable team spirit. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, clutching the mantle of Most Valuable Player, has made it abundantly clear: while the spotlight shines brightly on him, this Thunder squad’s triumphs are far from a solo spectacle. Far more than a one-man show, their recent series-leveling victory wasn’t just about dazzling points — it was a testament to collective resilience and synergy. With a crackling 35-point performance from Gilgeous-Alexander and the steadfast contributions of teammates often unseen in the box score, Oklahoma City proved their mettle. Game 4’s intensity, marked by a physical and pulsating display, highlighted the Thunder’s depth and determination to keep their championship dreams alive. This is a team weaving a tale of hard-earned glory, unity, and relentless pursuit of excellence. LEARN MOREIn Game 4, Caruso redoubled his efforts to find the magic in that work. In addition to his standard über-caffeinated on- and off-ball defense, he brought the ball up the floor to ease some of the offensive initiation burden for Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams, seized opportunities to make hard downhill drives to the paint and try to either create offense for himself or others, made timely off-ball cuts behind the Pacers defense and, when the ball found him on the perimeter, shot it with confidence and without a conscience.Holmgren’s in the NBA because he’s 7-foot-1 with the ability to run the floor like a gazelle, handle the ball like a guard, shoot 37% from 3-point range (though not necessarily on hang pulls, which would be odee) and protect the rim at a level few big men on the planet can match. It’s what the Gonzaga product did in space in the fourth quarter, though, that opened an awful lot of eyes — and helped keep the Thunder from being pushed to the brink.And now, they go back to Oklahoma City tied up, with home-court advantage restored, to try to do it again.

And now, they go back to Oklahoma City tied up, with home-court advantage restored, to try to do it again.

And now, they go back to Oklahoma City tied up, with home-court advantage restored, to try to do it again.

And now, they go back to Oklahoma City tied up, with home-court advantage restored, to try to do it again.

And now, they go back to Oklahoma City tied up, with home-court advantage restored, to try to do it again.

And now, they go back to Oklahoma City tied up, with home-court advantage restored, to try to do it again.

And now, they go back to Oklahoma City tied up, with home-court advantage restored, to try to do it again.

And now, they go back to Oklahoma City tied up, with home-court advantage restored, to try to do it again.

And now, they go back to Oklahoma City tied up, with home-court advantage restored, to try to do it again.

And now, they go back to Oklahoma City tied up, with home-court advantage restored, to try to do it again.

And now, they go back to Oklahoma City tied up, with home-court advantage restored, to try to do it again.

A versatile one, too. Williams battled on the defensive end, jousting with Pascal Siakam and doing his damnedest to keep the Pacers’ ascendant demigod from snatching the series in his two bare hands. (Siakam finished with 20 points, eight rebounds, five assists, five steals and a block in 35 massive minutes, but went scoreless in the deciding fourth quarter.) He competed on the glass, grabbing seven rebounds, including a pair of big defensive boards late.Advertisement“Yeah, he was himself,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of Dort, who finished with six points, three rebounds and a steal in 33 minutes, a box score that dramatically undervalues his contributions to the comeback effort. “He was pressuring. He was making life difficult for them to get into offense. He was physical on-ball. He was disruptive. He was who he’s been all season.“I don’t think Dub played his best game last game,” ace reserve Alex Caruso said. “I don’t think he would say that either. I kind of just expected him to come out and answer the call.”Advertisement