The Oklahoma City Thunder are making history, but not in the manner they may have envisioned. In an exhilarating matchup against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday, the Thunder secured a narrow 141-135 victory after double overtime, marking them as the first team in NBA history to win both of their opening games in double overtime.
This showdown was particularly compelling, as the two teams had faced off in the 2025 NBA Finals just a few months earlier, where the Thunder triumphed in Game 7 to clinch their first championship since relocating to Oklahoma City.
Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning league MVP, delivered a spectacular performance, scoring a staggering 55 points—setting a new career high and becoming the first player to notch a 50-point game this season. Of those points, 23 came from free throws, as he impressively connected on 21 of 24 attempts. This achievement marks the fifth 50-point game of Gilgeous-Alexander’s career, tying him with Russell Westbrook for the most such games in franchise history.
The Thunder now sit at 2-0, having previously claimed a nail-biting victory against the Houston Rockets in another double overtime game on Tuesday.
The game against the Pacers was intensely physical, featuring 70 personal fouls and 51 free-throw attempts. Oklahoma City established a seven-point lead by halftime, but the Pacers rallied in the second half, fueled by an inspiring performance from Bennedict Mathurin. Both teams exchanged leads during the fourth quarter, culminating in a dramatic moment when Pascal Siakam tied the game with a jumper with just 6.5 seconds remaining.
Gilgeous-Alexander had a chance to seal the game with a buzzer-beater, but his shot was thwarted by a strategic double-team from the Pacers.
In the first overtime, the tension remained high, characterized by turnovers and missed opportunities, leaving both teams unable to gain a decisive advantage. However, in the second overtime, Oklahoma City started to pull away, bolstered by more free throws from Gilgeous-Alexander, ultimately securing the win.
A controversial moment unfolded with less than 30 seconds left in the second overtime when Obi Toppin of the Pacers made a big steal after an inbound pass from Chet Holmgren. The play was nullified as Thunder coach Mark Daigneault had called a timeout moments earlier, sparking frustration among the Indiana fans.
Despite the drama and intensity of the match, it was a night that belonged to the Thunder and their superstar, Gilgeous-Alexander, as they continue their gritty start to the season. With early season momentum on their side, Oklahoma City fans have plenty to cheer for as this exciting campaign unfolds.