Game 4 of the NBA Playoffs delivered an electrifying mix of blowouts, buzzer-beaters, and confidence-restoring victories that have fans on the edge of their seats. The Indiana Pacers stunned Milwaukee with a 129–103 rout, spearheaded by Myles Turner’s 25-point, 12-rebound double-double and Tyrese Haliburton’s 11 assists. In Los Angeles, the Clippers eked out a 101–99 win over the Nuggets thanks to Kawhi Leonard’s clutch midrange jumper with 4.3 seconds left. Madison Square Garden went wild as the Knicks edged Detroit 94–93 on Jalen Brunson’s game-winning floater, while the Lakers and Timberwolves packed the Crypto.com Arena for a 116–113 Minnesota victory, highlighted by Anthony Edwards’ 32 points and D’Angelo Russell’s soaring three in overtime.
Over in Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put on a masterclass, scoring 31 of his 42 points in the second half to lift the Thunder to a 117–115 comeback win over Memphis. The Boston Celtics reminded everyone why they’re title favorites, cruising past Orlando 107–98 on Jayson Tatum’s 30-point night and Jaylen Brown’s defensive lockdown on Paolo Banchero. In Miami, the Cavaliers humiliated the Heat 138–83, with Donovan Mitchell exploding for 29 points and Evan Mobley’s 18 rebounds. Finally, Steph Curry knocked down a career playoff-high eight three-pointers in Golden State’s 109–106 triumph over Houston, clawing back from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter. These defining moments in Game 4 of the NBA Playoffs gave fans a must-watch content and set the tone for the series ahead.
| TEAM A | TEAM B | FINAL SCORE |
| MILWAUKEE BUCKS | INDIANA PACERS | 103-129 |
| L.A CLIPPERS | DENVER NUGGETS | 99-101 |
| DETROIT PISTONS | NEW YORK KNICKS | 93-94 |
| LOS ANGELES LAKERS | MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES | 113-116 |
| MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES | OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER | 115-117 |
| ORLANDO MAGIC | BOSTON CELTICS | 98-107 |
| MIAMI HEAT | CLEVELAND CAVALIERS | 83-138 |
| HOUSTON ROCKETS | GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS | 106-109 |
Strategies Behind the Wins
Behind each Game 4 victory lay a series of intentional tactical shifts and in-game adjustments. Indiana’s Rick Carlisle shifted the Pacers to a more aggressive pace, running early offense off transition and exploiting Milwaukee’s foul troubles; this strategy translated into a 22-point margin. Meanwhile, the Clippers, coached by Tyronn Lue, returned to their “load management” formula, carefully limiting Pascal Siakam’s touches and doubling Nikola Jokić on high screens—forcing the Nuggets into low-percentage jumpers down the stretch. New York’s Tom Thibodeau dialed up full-court pressure on Detroit’s guards, generating 17 Pistons turnovers that Brunson and Julius Randle turned into easy points.
In Los Angeles, Darvin Ham mixed small-ball and traditional lineups to disrupt Minnesota’s pick-and-roll execution, ultimately creating mismatches that Edwards punished in overtime. Oklahoma City’s Mark Daigneault leaned on defensive intensity, switching Melo-type looks on Ja Morant and forcing contested layups. The Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla emphasized ball reversal and corner spacing, leading to a 52% three-point shooting night. Cleveland’s J.B. Bickerstaff unleashed a 4–1 zone that suffocated Miami’s spacing while allowing his blockers to feast on offensive rebounds—Cavs grabbed 22 second-chance points. Finally, Steve Kerr’s Warriors trusted Curry’s gravity; Golden State moved without the ball, setting off-screen Pinwheel actions to free Curry from Houston’s perimeter traps. These strategic masterclasses in Game 4 underscore how quickly NBA Playoff teams must adapt.
Game 4 MVP and Their Impact
While many players shone, one standout claimed Game 4 MVP honors: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder. SGA erupted for 42 points, including 31 in the second half and overtime, to lead Oklahoma City to a critical 117–115 road win. “We needed a spark,” he said after the game, “and I just locked in on making each play count.” His fearless drives to the rim, four made threes, and ten assists revitalized OKC and swung the series momentum back in the Thunder’s favor. Gilgeous-Alexander’s relentless work ethic and clutch finishing epitomized the grit required to succeed in the NBA Playoffs.
Lessons Learned & Team Adjustments
Game 4 also highlighted how teams quickly integrate lessons from previous matchups. Humbled by back-to-back blowouts, Milwaukee vowed to tighten help-side defense and shore up rebounding before heading back to Indiana. Denver recognized its need for floor-spacing—Coach Michael Malone plans to reinsert Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to combat L.A.’s defensive rotation. In crunch time, Detroit’s Dwane Casey admitted to “not closing out Brunson” and will emphasize 4–1 zone rotation in practice.
The Lakers, reeling after Minnesota’s road upset, committed to reverting to a faster pace on offense and better switch defense to contain Edwards. Memphis learned that slowing OKC’s transition game is paramount so that they will work on outlet passing and drop coverage. Boston, never content, noticed lapses in baseline help and will drill closeouts. Cleveland’s historic rout came with a caveat: they grappled with turnovers early and will emphasize ball security ahead of Game 5. Finally, after blowing a late lead, Houston recognized its need to diversify playmakers beyond Jalen Green and may give more minutes to veteran Eric Gordon. These adjustments show the urgency of in-series learning during the NBA Playoffs.
Wrap-up thoughts on the Highlights of the NBA Playoffs
Game 4 of the NBA Playoffs offered a thrilling combination of elite scoring, strategic ingenuity, and unforgettable performances. From Turner’s double-double, Leonard’s game-winner, Gilgeous-Alexander’s second-half takeover, and Curry’s record-setting threes, fans were treated to playoff basketball at its best. Coaches’ tactical tweaks—whether it was Indiana’s pace push, Chicago’s defensive retooling, or OKC’s second-half focus—proved decisive.
As the series advances to Game 5, four teams (Cleveland, Golden State, Indiana, and Minnesota) appear poised to continue winning while others scramble to reverse momentum. The NBA Playoffs never disappoint, and with each game comes new storylines, rising stars, and championship dreams on the line. Stay tuned—Game 5 promises even more spectacular action.
KEYWORDS
NBA PLAYOFFS, GAME 4, HIGHLIGHTS
