Context:

In a crucial Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander overcame previous struggles to lead his team to victory, tying the playoff series at 2-2. Despite shooting inefficiencies, especially from beyond the arc, he scored a team-high 25 points, with nine crucial points in the final quarter to secure the win. The Thunder demonstrated resilience, as they managed to avoid a daunting 3-1 series deficit. Gilgeous-Alexander's performance underscores his importance to the team, despite his postseason statistics not quite reaching his regular-season highs. His efforts highlight both his potential as an MVP candidate and the Thunder's ability to adapt and persevere in challenging playoff scenarios.

Dive Deeper:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander faced a challenging Game 3, where he was held to 18 points in an overtime loss, raising concerns about his performance under playoff pressure.

• In Game 4, Gilgeous-Alexander rose to the occasion by scoring 25 points, despite a less-than-ideal shooting percentage, demonstrating his ability to perform in high-stakes situations.

• The Thunder and Nuggets made history with the lowest combined first-quarter score in NBA playoff history, yet Gilgeous-Alexander managed to match the Nuggets' first-quarter points, giving the Thunder an early lead.

• Despite the Thunder losing their early advantage and trailing by six points entering the final quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander's decisive nine points in the last quarter were pivotal in turning the game around.

• His postseason scoring averages have dipped compared to his regular-season performance, with notable declines in shooting efficiency, particularly from the three-point line.

• Gilgeous-Alexander's leadership and scoring are crucial for the Thunder as they navigate the playoffs, needing him to return to his regular-season form to overcome increasingly difficult opponents.

• The Thunder's success in finding ways to win, despite Gilgeous-Alexander's scoring slump, underscores the team's depth and resilience, providing hope for their playoff aspirations.

• As the league's youngest team, the 1-seed Thunder are learning important postseason lessons in real-time.

• MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is certainly not exempt from the teachings, either.

• Oklahoma City entered Sunday facing a 2-1 series deficit after Gilgeous-Alexander was limited to 18 points on 7-of-22 shooting in Game 3's overtime loss to Denver. The image of Gilgeous-Alexander exiting the court with a grimacing smile was embedded into fans' minds during the layoff between Games 3 and 4.

• With the Thunder entering a must-win situation in Game 4, Gilgeous-Alexander had an opportunity to make an MVP statement against three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets.

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• And while Gilgeous-Alexander's model efficiency wasn't quite there, he did what was needed for his team to even the series. Here's more from SGA's performance in the gritty, low-scoring affair.

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• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Game 4 stats vs. Nuggets

  While Oklahoma City and Denver turned in the lowest combined first-quarter score in NBA playoff history, Gilgeous-Alexander was solid during the first 12 minutes of action. He matched the Nuggets' first-quarter total with eight points on 2-of-4 shooting, helping the Thunder get out to a nine-point advantage early on.

• The well dried up for the Thunder later on, as the Nuggets began to chip away, taking a six-point lead into the final frame after big showings in the second and third quarters.

• When it was needed most, Gilgeous-Alexander stepped up, scoring nine of his team-high 25 points in the final frame. Here's his full stat line:

• • 25 points
  • 6 rebounds
  • 6 assists
  • 8-19 (42.1%) FGs
  • 0-5 (0.0%) 3FGs
  • 9-12 (75.0%) FTs
  • 2 steals
  • 0 blocks
  • 3 turnovers
  After the game, Gilgeous-Alexander told ESPN's Jorge Sedano that Oklahoma City approaches each game with a do-or-die mentality. That was especially true Sunday as the Thunder avoided falling into the historically difficult 3-1 series deficit.

• And while Gilgeous-Alexander led OKC in scoring, his shooting splits are a testament to Denver's defense and are the continuation of a trend that has stuck with the superstar guard throughout the postseason.

• MORE: Thunder, Nuggets combine for lowest-scoring quarter in postseason history in Game 4

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander NBA Playoffs stats

  Gilgeous-Alexander is the presumptive MVP favorite for his efforts during the regular season. Over 76 games, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 32.7 points while shooting 51.9 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from 3-point range.

• Here's how those numbers compare to his numbers in the postseason:

• 	Regular season	R1 vs. Grizzlies	R2 vs. Nuggets
  Points	32.7	27.8	27.5
  Rebounds	5.0	5.0	8.3
  Assists	6.4	6.0	7.3
  FG%	51.9	40.2	47.5
  3FG%	37.5	25.0	21.1
  FT%	89.8	90.9	81.1
  Steals	1.7	1.3	1.5
  Blocks	1.0	1.0	0.3
  Turnovers	2.4	2.0	1.8

  Gilgeous-Alexander's scoring isn't quite up to his regular-season level yet, and his 3-point efficiency has dipped each round. It wasn't as needed during the Thunder's first-round sweep of the Grizzlies but as the competition stiffens, OKC will need its MVP at his best.

• That the Thunder have found ways to win speaks to the composition of their team and should be a reason for encouragement, as Gilgeous-Alexander will work his way out of the pseudo-slump that's limited his scoring exploits.