How important is Game 4 of the NBA Finals? A few NBA experts believe the Oklahoma City Thunder‘s season is on the line.

Charles Barkley said on NBA TV that Friday night’s game is “D-Day” for them.

“That’s their season. If they get down 3-1, they’re not going to win the series,” Barkley said. “If it’s 2-2, they go back to being a favorite. But Friday night is their game.”

The original D-Day, June 6, 1944, is when U.S. and allied troops stormed Normandy Beach in France and, against tremendous odds, gained ground against the Germans, turning the tide of World War II.

The Indiana Pacers beat the Thunder 116-107 in Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Indiana shocked OKC in Game 1 with a fourth-quarter rally, and the Thunder won Game 2 convincingly.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst also said postgame that he believes the Game 4 winner takes the championship.

Charles Barkley: “Friday night is D-Day. Friday night is D-Day. That’s [the Oklahoma City Thunder’s] season. If they get down 3-1, they’re not going to win this series.” #NBA #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/tihJomSafd

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 12, 2025Pacers vs Thunder tickets for Game 4 of the NBA Finals

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Game 4 is 8:30 p.m. ET Friday, June 13, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

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(*-if necessary; all games are ET and on ABC)

Game 1: Pacers 111, Thunder 110Game 2: Thunder 123, Pacers 107Game 3: Pacers 116, Thunder 107Game 4, Fri., June 13: at Pacers, 8:30 p.m.Game 5, Mon., June 16:  at Thunder, 8:30 p.m.*-Game 6, Thurs., June 19: at Pacers, 8:30 p.m.*-Game 7, Sun., June 22: at Thunder, 8 p.m.