The Thunder showed great maturity in Game 2 after their abysmal loss in Game 1 to tie the series 1-1. They had the momentum heading into Denver for games 3 and 4, needing to split those games to tie it back up 2-2. Unfortunately, the Thunder couldn’t take Game 3 as they lost in Overtime 104-113. Once again, in back-to-back years, the Thunder find themselves down 2-1 in the second round and must win Game 4. However, Game 3 was right there for the Thunder to take, and once again, their inexperience showed up late in the fourth quarter and overtime. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had an unusual game in Game 3, and if the Thunder wants to win Game 4 and this series, he needs to do better.
SGA was coming off two extremely efficient 30-point games against Denver heading into Game 3. Shai was playing well through the first three quarters as he had 15 points, shooting 6-14 from the field and 0-2 from three. However, Gilgeous-Alexander fell apart in the fourth quarter, going 1-8 from the field for only 3 points, and he didn’t even take a shot in overtime. Gilgeous-Alexander must be better for the Thunder heading into Game 4, and he knows that, as this was a game the Thunder had full control over, like Game 1, and let it slip through their hands.
Lots of accountability in Shai’s opening two answers: pic.twitter.com/AAKnl4YuSx
— Derek Parker (@DParkOK) May 10, 2025
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Must Be Better in Game 4
The Thunder’s Inexperienced Showed up Again
Last year, the Thunder’s inexperience cost them against the Mavericks when they lost that series 4-2. This year, in two of the first three games against Denver, their inexperience is costing them again. Furthermore, the Thunder have had control over the three games in this series, as in each game, the Thunder have had a five-point lead or more consistently throughout the games. However, once it gets to the fourth quarter, Denver can make plays on offense, and the Thunder look lethargic on offense, having bad possessions after bad possessions. Regardless, there is still a difference between this Thunder team and last year’s team.
Last year, the only one that showed up in the Mavericks series was Gilgeous-Alexander, and that has not been the case this year. Jalen Williams has been incredible these playoffs and has only had one truly bad game. Williams was outstanding in Game 3, cashing in 32 points, with 16 of those coming in the fourth quarter. He was the only one keeping the Thunder team afloat in the fourth quarter.
In a game where it is so close and the Thunder being as inexperienced as they are and Williams is giving you this kind of performance, your MVP has to be better than he was in Game 3, and if he was, the Thunder would be up 2-1 instead of down 1-2. It is the little things you need to do to advance in the NBA Playoffs, and so far, it is the Nuggets doing them and not the Thunder.
How SGA Can Be Better in Game 4
Now, the Thunder and SGA have to resort back to that 0-0 mindset they have had all year, as you can’t change what happened in the past. However, where do the Thunder go from here? How do they overcome a more experienced championship-level team to get this series back at 2-2, going back to Oklahoma? It all starts with the Thunder’s leader, Gilgeous-Alexander, and he needs to be better, especially late in the games.
In Game 3, it just seemed like he was not playing like he normally does and was playing a lot of iso ball, forcing too many shots. The Nuggets were crowding him, and he was forcing shots up, trying to get out of the slump he was in at that time and trying to will his team to a victory. He and the Thunder abandoned what was working in the first three quarters of moving the ball around, penetrating the zone, getting into the middle, and making the right play.
The Thunder have to get back to that in Game 4, especially in the fourth quarter, as this team is better when everyone is touching the ball on a possession. Also, Gilgeous-Alexander shot zero free throws in the fourth quarter, and something he should have tried to do, especially with his shot not falling, to try and slow the game down by attacking the rim more and not settling for jump-shots. Ultimately, Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander can’t be the only ones to score in the fourth quarter for the Thunder if they want to win this series.
What is At Stake for The Thunder in Game 4?
Now that the Thunder are down 2-1 again, what is at stake for them in Game 4? Two things are at stake, and why Game 4 is a must-win for the Thunder. The first one is that if they lose and go down 3-1, they put themselves in a hole where their season is likely over, and it will be an extremely disappointing year for OKC. NBA teams that are up 3-1 are 280-13, which will be a hard thing to overcome for OKC. However, if the Thunder can pull out a win in Game 4 and get it tied 2-2, then it is essentially a best-of-three series with the Thunder playing two games at home. A place the Thunder are familiar with, as this happened last year, and they will be better prepared for a pivotal Game 5 in Oklahoma, as opposed to last year.
The Last Word
The Thunder have responded well in adversity all year and will need to do it again in Game 4. If the Thunder want to steal one in Denver, their MVP candidate has to be better for them to do so. If Game 4 is another close game heading into the fourth quarter, they will have to do a better job at not playing too fast in the fourth quarter and playing more under control. However, getting to a double-digit lead to give them some breathing room in the fourth will be a huge advantage for the Thunder. Finally, Thunder fans should feel more comfortable being down 2-1 this year as opposed to last year, as the Thunder have had control of this series in all three games; they just need to execute better for the full 48 minutes and not just the first 36.
Featured image: © Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
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