SGA SCORES 55 POINTS in double OT: Thunder Beats Pacers

INDIANAPOLIS – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander exhaled deeply after the game, visibly exhausted after his team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, played their second consecutive double-overtime game. An unprecedented milestone in NBA history. The Thunder achieved victory for the second consecutive time, surpassing the Indiana Pacers with a score of 141-135. This encounter was a re-edition of last season’s NBA Finals, where Oklahoma City prevailed in an epic seven-game series in June.

I’m tired, but it’s expected. It’s a good way to break the ice in the season, shake off the rust, and regain my physical condition.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault had planned to limit his players’ minutes after the grueling victory over the Houston Rockets in the season opener. There was a moment in the first overtime, with the Thunder down 118-113 with 3:16 left, where Daigneault considered it wise to moderate the pace. However, Gilgeous-Alexander, who played 45 minutes on Thursday after playing 47 minutes in the opening game, wanted to keep going and not let the opportunity to win slip away.

There are two things: being in the moment and understanding that we are losing by five, there are three minutes left, there’s a lot of time. Also understanding that the beginning of the season is as important as the end.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

In Thursday’s game, the Thunder had significant absences, but counted on the outstanding performance of second-year guard Ajay Mitchell, who scored 26 points off the bench, a career high.

Everyone trusts him and his talent a lot. He wasn’t intimidated in either game. We knew about his talent and his impact, but sometimes players take a while, they seem a bit surprised. That wasn’t the case with him.

Mark Daigneault

Gilgeous-Alexander embraced Mitchell after the final buzzer, partly out of exhaustion, but also to congratulate the young player on the best game of his career. Different players stepping up. Many players stood out tonight. This team never makes excuses. Always ready for their moment. The Pacers, despite their absences, took the defending champions to the limit. The Pacers coach said Nembhard will undergo more tests on his shoulder on Friday, but was not optimistic, stating that the injury could “present some big challenges”. Despite this, the Pacers managed to test the champions, just as they did during the Finals. Pascal Siakam scored 32 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, while Bennedict Mathurin finished with 36 points and 11 rebounds.

Determination is what will define us this year. There will be many challenges. We have to be able to face these challenges in the long term.

Pacers Coach