The Oklahoma City Thunder secured a dominant 123-107 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, evening up the NBA Finals at 1-1. The win was a relief for the Thunder, especially after the Pacers’ dramatic Game 1 victory.
Oklahoma City showcased its usual offensive firepower in the second quarter, taking full control of the game with a series of runs that eventually led to a blowout win.
Led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) and a strong bench performance, including Alex Caruso, the Thunder made an emphatic statement in the Finals.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Leads the Way
SGA’s stellar 34-point, 8-assist performance was a highlight for Oklahoma City. After scoring 38 points in the losing effort in Game 1, Gilgeous-Alexander showed resilience and bounced back in Game 2, guiding his team to victory.
He reflected on the importance of staying level-headed in a series full of ups and downs and praised his team’s ability to improve after every game. He stressed that the key to success in basketball is continual improvement.
“We just used the opportunity to get better,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “Tonight is the same thing; we did some things good tonight, we did some things bad. We’ve got to be able to get better and get ready for Game 3.”
Thunder’s Strong Defensive Play
The Thunder’s defense was another key factor in their Game 2 win. They limited the Pacers to just 34.9% shooting in the first half and forced nine turnovers. The Thunder also dominated in the paint, outscoring Indiana 26-12 in the area.
Despite a shaky start, where the Thunder committed four turnovers early, they quickly found their rhythm, ending the first quarter with a six-point lead.
That momentum continued into the second quarter, as they extended the lead to 15 points and later put the game out of reach with a 19-2 run.
Chet Holmgren, who had a disappointing Game 1, made a strong statement in Game 2, contributing to the Thunder’s efforts. His dunk, along with the Thunder’s overall defensive intensity, helped Oklahoma City surge ahead in the second quarter.
Pacers Struggle to Respond
The Pacers struggled to find their rhythm throughout the game, especially in the first half, where they shot just 33% from the field.
Tyrese Haliburton, who was the hero in Game 1, was quiet for most of the game. Despite a strong push in the third quarter, the Pacers couldn’t keep up with the Thunder’s offense.
Haliburton finished with 17 points, but 12 of those came in the fourth quarter when the game was already out of reach.
Luguentz Dort was exceptional in guarding Haliburton, forcing him into five turnovers. Gilgeous-Alexander also praised Dort’s defense, recognizing the impact it had on slowing down the Pacers’ offense.
“If you don’t get stops, you’ll end up running all game, and they can beat you that way,” he said.
The Road Ahead: Game 3 and Beyond
The series now heads to Indianapolis for Games 3 and 4. Oklahoma City will look to build on their impressive performance and carry the momentum into the next round of the Finals.
However, Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the Thunder squad know that they cannot afford to get complacent.
“You can’t get comfortable,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “You’ve got to focus on the little things, recovery, get ready for the game plan, and ultimately, getting better for the next game.”
With Game 3 scheduled for Wednesday in Indianapolis, both teams are eager to take the next step toward securing the NBA Championship.
