The Oklahoma City Thunder showcased their resilience in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, responding to their Game 1 loss with a decisive 123-107 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with an impressive 34 points, while Alex Caruso contributed 20 points off the bench, helping the Thunder tie the series at one game apiece.
The Thunder’s strong performance included notable contributions from Jalen Williams, who scored 19 points, Aaron Wiggins with 18, and Chet Holmgren, who added 15 points. This victory marks the franchise’s first finals game win since the 2012 series against Miami, signaling a significant moment for the team.
Despite a valiant effort from the Pacers, who were led by Tyrese Haliburton’s 17 points, they struggled to find their rhythm and never managed to reclaim the lead after falling behind in the second quarter. Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam scored 16 and 15 points, respectively, but the Pacers faced a setback as it marked the first time since 2013 that a team has started the finals without a 20-point scorer in the first two games.
The Thunder quickly built momentum with a 19-2 run in the second quarter, creating a significant cushion that Indiana could not fully overcome. Gilgeous-Alexander reached a scoring milestone during the game, surpassing 3,000 total points for the season across both regular season and playoffs, and eventually becoming the leading scorer of the playoffs.
As the teams gear up for Game 3 in Indianapolis — the first finals Game there in 25 years — Pacers’ coach Rick Carlisle indicated the need for improvement, particularly in the team’s first-half performance. The Thunder’s ability to bounce back from losses has been a hallmark of their season, now boasting an 18-2 record in such situations, with a remarkable number of those victories coming by double-digit margins.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault emphasized the focus and resolve demonstrated by his players in preparing for this pivotal game, reflecting the team’s determination to build momentum as they continue their playoff journey.
A sense of anticipation surrounds the upcoming games, as both teams aim to gain an edge in this closely contested series.