Gilgeous-Alexander was off his game for much of the night, but played like the league MVP in the fourth to lead the OKC rally.

Q: Does being in the East help us with getting Kevin Durant? Maybe the Suns don’t want KD in the West. Maybe KD wants the best chance to win and the East gives him that chance. It seems like the path would be easier in the next year being in the East. – Kristopher, Oceanside, Calif.

Following the Oklahoma City Thunder's 111-104 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night, the 2025 NBA Finals are tied at two games apiece.

In the playoffs thus far, Mathurin has been averaging 11.1 points on .504/.326/.865 shooting splits, plus 2.5 rebounds and 0.7 assists. He's converting the aforementioned 86.5 percent of his free throws while attempting 4.7 takes per bout, which makes it all the more disconcerting that he couldn't nail his attempts late.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots against Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) during the second half of Game 2 of the NBA Finals basketball series Sunday, June 8, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) AP

Oh no, Stephen A. Smith. This is probably not what you what fans to be focusing on during a terrific 2025 NBA Finals now that the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers are all tied up.

At the NBA Finals, Indiana coach Rick Carlisle is trying to shine a light on what he considers an important cause.