SGA’s Fourth-Quarter Brilliance Ignites Thunder’s Game 4 Rally to Even NBA Finals
In a Game 4 that may go down as a defining moment in NBA Finals history, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) delivered a fourth-quarter performance for the ages, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a thrilling 104-101 victory over the Boston Celtics. With the win, the Thunder evened the series 2-2, setting the stage for a blockbuster Game 5.
SGA finished with 34 points, including 14 in a decisive fourth quarter that saw the Thunder erase a nine-point deficit. But it wasn’t just the numbers — it was how he did it. Calm, calculated, and clutch, SGA took over when it mattered most, embodying the poise of a seasoned Finals MVP contender.
🔥 A Star is Taking the Stage
Throughout the playoffs, Gilgeous-Alexander has been building his case as one of the league’s elite. But Game 4 was his coming-out party on the biggest stage. With the Celtics defense tightening in the final stretch, SGA carved through their front line with surgical precision — attacking the rim, drawing fouls, and hitting key mid-range jumpers that shifted the game’s momentum.
“Shai took control in that fourth,” said Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault. “He didn’t just want the ball — he demanded it, and he delivered.”
⏱️ Thunder’s Timely Surge
Heading into the fourth, Oklahoma City trailed 81-72. The Celtics had seemingly rediscovered their rhythm, with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown finding openings inside and out. But the Thunder ramped up the defensive pressure, holding Boston to just 20 points in the final frame.
Key contributions came from Chet Holmgren, who blocked two crucial shots, and Lu Dort, who locked down Brown during critical possessions. The team’s youth and athleticism — once seen as a liability against Boston’s Finals experience — turned out to be their X-factor.
The Thunder outscored Boston 32-20 in the final 12 minutes, capped off by a dagger step-back jumper from SGA with 18.6 seconds left to put OKC ahead for good.
💬 Celtics Left Searching for Answers
Boston’s Game 4 unraveling was as much mental as physical. Turnovers, missed free throws, and cold shooting haunted them in the fourth quarter. Tatum, who had 29 points through three quarters, was limited to just three in the fourth.
“We let one slip,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla admitted postgame. “We didn’t match their intensity when it mattered most.”
With the series tied and momentum now swinging toward the Thunder, the pressure is back on Boston to regroup as the Finals head to Game 5 at TD Garden.
📈 What This Means Going Forward
The series is now a best-of-three, with both teams holding serve at home. But Oklahoma City’s Game 4 win proved they aren’t just happy to be here — they’re ready to win. SGA is rapidly evolving into one of the league’s most unshakable closers, and with Holmgren and Jalen Williams supporting, OKC is rewriting expectations in real time.
For the Celtics, urgency is rising. Their championship window is now firmly tied to how well they respond to adversity — something this Thunder squad is happy to keep throwing at them.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t just lead a comeback — he ignited belief. The Thunder, once considered too young to contend, are now two wins away from an NBA title. If Game 4 is any indication, they’re not done dazzling us yet.
As we gear up for a pivotal Game 5, the NBA Finals just became must-watch television.