Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s fourth-quarter heroics are the main story from the Thunder’s come-from-behind 111-104 win in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, but it’s not the only story. The way he took over down the stretch has been called into question by frustrated Pacers fans and media members alike.
The league MVP scored 15 of his 35 points in the game’s final frame, with 13 coming in the last five minutes. Spectacular as Gilgeous-Alexander’s clutch exploits were, some fans on X (formerly Twitter) took issue with the jumper he hit that ultimately put OKC up for good.
As the series heads back to Oklahoma City tied 2-2, there has been a discussion about whether Gilgeous-Alexander committed an infraction on the clutch shot, be it an offensive foul, a travel, or both.
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Did Gilgeous-Alexander travel? Here’s a closer look at the play and how the free-throw disparity shaped out in Game 4 of the series.
MORE THUNDER-PACERS GAME 4:
Did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander travel on key 4th-quarter play?
With the Thunder trailing by one point with under 2:30 remaining in the fourth quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander had an isolation on Aaron Nesmith with Andrew Nembhard waiting nearby to provide additional help on a drive.
As Gilgeous-Alexander drove left toward the baseline, he used his right arm to create space on a stepback, sending Nesmith to the floor while Nembhard tried to contest the jumper. The late contest did not work, and Gilgeous-Alexander’s jumper went through to give OKC its first lead of the second half.
When the ABC broadcast went to a commercial break, it showed a slow-motion replay of Gilgeous-Alexander’s play. One X user used that clip to make a case that officials give SGA preferential treatment.
The things NBA refs allow SGA to do is WILD
Offensive foul and travel 🤦🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/Xc98kp7B4m
— Jacob (@Jacobtheclipper) June 14, 2025
In the replay, ABC’s Richard Jefferson added fuel to the fire, saying, “Shai, little push off, slips — steps back into another time zone,” to describe the move that set up Gilgeous-Alexander’s shot.
After the game, ESPN’s Tim Legler said that SGA traveled on the play, adding, “There were a number of missed travels in this game, no doubt about it.”
Official Scott Foster was feet away from Gilgeous-Alexander when he made the play, and the stepback was likely not whistled for a travel because the first step is often viewed as a “gather,” which does not count toward the two steps players are legally allowed.
Because the play occurred with over two minutes remaining in the game, it will not appear on the NBA’s Last Two Minute Report, which determines if a non-call was correct or not.
As for the foul disparity, the Thunder attempted just five more free throws than the Pacers in the game, and a few of those attempts came as Indiana fouled intentionally and mistakenly committed away-from-the-play fouls, which gave OKC one free throw and the ball.
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