Thunder Blows Away NBA Finals: SGA Leads Victory Against Pacers

The Oklahoma City formula has remained constant throughout the season: respond with strength after a defeat.

The Thunder demonstrated their ability to react in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

Thunder’s Domination in Game 2

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the attack with 34 points, while Alex Caruso contributed 20 from the bench. The final score was 123-107 in favor of Oklahoma City, tying the final series at one game apiece against the Indiana Pacers. Jalen Williams contributed 19 points, Aaron Wiggins scored 18, and Chet Holmgren added 15 for the Thunder. This victory represents the first in a final for the franchise since the inaugural game of the 2012 series against Miami.

We did good things tonight. There were also aspects that we need to improve. We have to keep raising our level for Game 3.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Tyrese Haliburton scored 17 points for Indiana, which, despite overcoming a 15-point deficit in the final quarter of Game 1, failed to impose their game on Sunday. Myles Turner contributed 16 points and Pascal Siakam added 15 for the Pacers, who became the first team since Miami in 2013 to not have a 20-point scorer in the first two games of the Finals.

Game 3 will be played on Wednesday in Indianapolis, marking the first Finals game in that city in 25 years.

Individual Milestones and Game Domination

Gilgeous-Alexander’s first basket in the game gave him 3,000 points for the season, combining the regular season and playoffs. In addition, he surpassed Jalen Brunson of New York (514) as the top scorer in these playoffs.

The victory in the Finals represented a significant achievement for Gilgeous-Alexander and much of the Thunder team.

A 19-2 run in the second quarter transformed a six-point game into a 23-point lead for the Thunder. Although the Pacers responded with a 10-0 run, Oklahoma City’s lead was never seriously in danger.

With the atmosphere in the stadium frequently exceeding 100 decibels, the Thunder demonstrated their resilience after the Game 1 loss, where they fell 111-110. Counting the NBA Cup title game, the Thunder have an 18-2 record this season after a loss. Of those 18 wins, 12 have been by double digits.