2025 NBA Finals Game 4: Key Factors as Pacers Aim to Tighten Grip and Thunder Fight to Survive

As the 2025 NBA Finals reach a boiling point, Game 4 on Friday night (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC) between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder carries seismic implications. The Pacers hold a 2-1 lead after their 116-107 Game 3 win, and a victory would push them within one game of their first-ever NBA title. But history and opportunity stand just as tall on OKC’s side: win, and the series resets to a best-of-three with two games back in Oklahoma.

Let’s dive into the four key storylines that could determine the outcome of this series-shaping clash:

1. OKC Must Learn to Close

For all their regular-season dominance, the Thunder have struggled in tight playoff moments. Their record in games decided by five points or fewer is middling (5-4 in the playoffs), while Indiana thrives under pressure (9-1 in clutch postseason games).

That disparity was on full display in Game 3. The Pacers, well-rehearsed in close contests, executed calmly in the final minutes — trusting their backcourt and sticking to their identity.

Oklahoma City? They’ve had fewer reps in crunch time due to so many blowout wins this season. That inexperience could be a liability unless they find poise in the fire of Game 4.

Said Tyrese Haliburton: “There’s still a lot of work to be done.” The Thunder would be wise to heed that.

2. Bench Battle: Advantage Indiana

This series has turned into a bench brawl, and right now, the Pacers are winning it decisively. In Game 3, Indiana’s bench delivered a stunning 49-18 edge, led by Bennedict Mathurin’s explosive 27-point outburst and T.J. McConnell’s disruptive all-around play.

OKC’s reserves? Virtually absent. Aaron Wiggins, a Game 2 hero, barely played. Isaiah Joe sank two triples and was never seen again. Coach Mark Daigneault leaned heavily on stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, but that may have made the Thunder too predictable.

If Indiana’s role players continue to outplay OKC’s, especially at home, it’s hard to see the Thunder evening the series.

3. Winning the Possession Game

Forget 3-point shootouts — this Finals is about maximizing possessions. In an era where teams live and die by the three, both Indiana and OKC have pivoted to old-school fundamentals: securing rebounds, limiting turnovers, and stringing together efficient scoring sequences.

Indiana proved this in Game 3, winning despite shooting just 9-of-27 from deep. Meanwhile, OKC’s long-range efficiency hasn’t compensated for fewer shot attempts overall.

More than highlight-reel plays, it’s the team that consistently manufactures more scoring chances that’s thriving — a sign of well-prepared, grind-it-out basketball.

4. Fatigue vs. Focus

Both teams are deep into their playoff journey — Game 4 marks their 102nd contest of the season. And for the first time in the Finals, they’re facing a quick turnaround: just 48 hours since Game 3.

That’s a real test, especially for the Pacers, whose game relies on relentless defense and fast-paced transition play. OKC’s stars, meanwhile, logged heavy minutes and high usage in Game 3.

Will fatigue start to creep in? Or will adrenaline — and the sight of the Larry O’Brien Trophy within reach — be enough to push through?

Said Gilgeous-Alexander: “It’s what you worked all summer for… You got to suck it up, get it done, and try to get a win.”

Bottom Line

Game 4 is more than just another chapter in this back-and-forth Finals — it’s a potential turning point. If Indiana goes up 3-1, history says this series is all but over. But if OKC steals one on the road, the pendulum swings back in their favor with momentum and home court.

Expect intensity, tight rotations, and every possession to feel like a mini-battle. The team that handles the moment — mentally and physically — will emerge with a massive advantage.