Entering Game 4, San Antonio's superior height and rim presence looked like a potential series-breaker. The Spurs had battered OKC on the offensive glass in Game 3, creating second-chance opportunities that kept Oklahoma City on its heels. Game 4 demanded a collective answer from the Thunder frontline.
Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein brought renewed physical intensity to defensive box-outs. Rather than trying to outjump San Antonio's big men, OKC swarmed the glass with multiple perimeter crashers, securing long rebounds and preventing second-chance putbacks. The Thunder finished with a 45-42 edge on the boards, eliminating San Antonio's size advantage.
By neutralizing the rebounding battle, Oklahoma City took away San Antonio's safety valve. When the Spurs missed shots in the fourth quarter, there were no second bites at the apple. OKC secured the defensive rebound and pushed the pace, wearing down San Antonio's frontcourt in the process.
