The Indiana Pacers’ fourth-quarter collapse in Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder revealed more than just cold shooting and defensive lapses. Head coach Rick Carlisle was candid in addressing Pascal Siakam’s disappearing act down the stretch.
With the series now tied and home-court advantage swinging back to Oklahoma City, Carlisle stressed the importance of tightening up defensively and reigniting Siakam’s offensive impact ahead of a pivotal Game 5.
Urgent adjustments await as Indiana looks to regain control of the Finals.
Rick Carlisle Calls Out Pascal Siakam’s Quiet Fourth Quarter in Game 4 Loss
As the NBA Finals shift to a pivotal Game 5 with the series deadlocked at 2-2, Carlisle addressed the media Sunday, offering a blunt assessment of Siakam’s late-game involvement in Friday’s loss.
Siakam tallied 20 points through the first three quarters of Game 4 but attempted just one shot in the final period, as Indiana was outscored 31-17 and fell 111-104 to the Thunder.
“That can’t happen,” Carlisle said. “He is a guy that if we are not playing through him, he needs to touch the ball more. The problems that hindered us in the fourth quarter were an inability to rebound the ball, unnecessary fouls.”
He pointed to rebounding failures and unnecessary fouls as major issues that allowed the Thunder to control the fourth quarter.
The Pacers led by double-digits in the third quarter before collapsing down the stretch. When asked about the mental toll of such a defeat, Carlisle emphasized the toughness required to compete at this level.
“If this was easy, they would be pulling people off the street to play in the NBA Finals and coach,” he said. “You guys are the best in the world. Everybody else here is perceived to be the best in the world at this moment. So it’s difficult.”
Carlisle made it clear the team must simplify its game plan, improve execution, and communicate more effectively heading into the next matchup.
With the series now reduced to a best-of-three and the Pacers having surrendered home-court advantage, they face the pressure of needing at least one road win in Oklahoma City. Still, Siakam remains confident.
“We’ve won some games on the road before,” he said. “It’s gonna take a lot and it’s gonna be hard, but we have a group capable of doing that.”
“It’s just a lot of skills, man. That’s what I do.”
P Skills takes us through his! pic.twitter.com/jAGCOj9ZQx
— NBA (@NBA) June 16, 2025
Despite the loss, Carlisle praised Siakam’s leadership and growth.
“There was no doubt to me that he would fit into any team,” he said, highlighting the forward’s journey from the G League to an essential postseason contributor.
Siakam averaged 20.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists during the 2024-25 campaign. He is currently putting up similar numbers in the playoffs, averaging 20.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game.