The NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers are now tied at two games apiece, as the series returns to Oklahoma City after a thrilling comeback led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a spectacular performance, scoring 15 of his 35 points in the crucial final four and a half minutes, helping the Thunder erase a two-possession deficit in the closing moments of the game.
Reflecting on his mindset during that critical stretch, Gilgeous-Alexander shared, “I knew what it would have looked like if we lost tonight. I didn’t want to go out not swinging. I didn’t want to go out not doing everything I could do in my power, in my control, to try to win the game.”
His determination was clear, and it proved vital in securing the comeback victory.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s explosive scoring run included 11 points in the final three minutes alone, marking the most points scored in that timeframe of a Finals game in half a century, as noted by MacMahon.
The Thunder’s defense also stepped up, limiting the Pacers to just a single point during those final moments, sealing the win.
“I relish those moments, love the moments, good or bad,” Gilgeous-Alexander said about his ability to thrive under pressure. “When I was a kid shooting at my driveway, I’d count down the clock for those moments. Now I get to live it. It’s a blessing, it’s fun, and I relish it.”
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