Facing a 2-1 deficit in the NBA Finals, Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is embracing the physical challenge posed by the Indiana Pacers, vowing to push through and fight for a Game 4 win on Friday.
“There’s a maximum of four games left in the season,” Gilgeous-Alexander said Thursday. “You’ve got to suck it up and get the job done.”
Indiana’s aggressive, high-energy defense in Game 3, led by Andrew Nembhard, Ben Sheppard, and Aaron Nesmith, successfully limited Gilgeous-Alexander’s impact, particularly in the second half. The Thunder guard managed just four free throws and three shot attempts in the final quarter, as the Pacers outpaced Oklahoma City down the stretch.
Thunder forward Chet Holmgren acknowledged Indiana’s stamina and defensive identity, while head coach Mark Daigneault admitted the team played “out of character” in Game 3. “We’ve got to course-correct quickly,” Daigneault said, emphasizing the urgency ahead of Game 4.
With the Finals hanging in the balance, Oklahoma City must now match the Pacers’ intensity if they hope to even the series.