INDIANAPOLIS — The clamors for ratings, the public craving for a new wave of NBA faces, the timeline left Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sitting out on national TV on Christmas. Even if league fans didn’t know it, they asked for SGA when the Oklahoma City Thunder took on the Indiana Pacers on Thursday. A one-man wrecking crew when he wants to be, he showcased why he is considered as one of the NBA's MVP candidates this season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered quite the performance for the Thunder, scoring 45 points, grabbing seven rebounds, and dishing out eight assists. He shot 15 for 22 from the field, including making four of his five 3-point attempts — many of which came under intense pressure during the game’s final minutes. Whatever the Thunder requested from their star, he delivered as the Thunder won 120-114 against the Pacers.
Gilgeous-Alexander continuously sought out his teammates, finding sharpshooter Isaiah Joe on several occasions, even though Joe shot just 1 for 7. The Thunder managed to overcome deficits at various points during the game, including being down by as many as 15 points. Even after struggling initially, Gilgeous-Alexander found his rhythm, hitting 16 of his last 17 shots.
On the other side, the Indiana Pacers (15-15) also showed they were no pushovers. Coming off of five straight wins, they hoped to add another impressive victory to their resume. The Pacers had solid performances from players like Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner, who contributed significantly to their recent winning streak, indicated they could pose challenges for the more favored Thunder.
Despite the optimism for the Pacers, the Thunder (23-5), who have won eight consecutive games since their loss to Milwaukee, were simply operating at another level. The Thunder's defense has been exemplary, leading the NBA with only 102.9 points allowed per game and 12.1 steals per game.
The injury report provided tension for both teams. For the Thunder, standout Chet Holmgren (hip) and Alex Caruso (hip) were sidelined, creating challenges in their lineup. The Pacers faced their own injury issues, with Aaron Nesmith (ankle sprain) and Isaiah Jackson (Achilles) ruled out for the matchup, leaving their capacity to compete weakened, particularly against the Thunder's relentless offense.
Looking forward, this game pushed the Thunder to solidify their place as serious contenders as they head toward tougher opponents. Gilgeous-Alexander is undoubtedly playing at First Team All-NBA level — performances like this are what fans eagerly await, even if they didn’t come on national television this season. The game featured efficient scoring and strategic gameplay from both sides, but the Thunder's depth and Gilgeous-Alexander's excellence stood out.
This match-up not only reinforced the Thunder’s ability to perform under pressure but also illustrated the importance of each victory, especially against competitive teams like the Pacers. The Thunder now look to maintain their momentum when they continue their road trip, facing more challenges moving forward.
Final Score: Thunder 120, Pacers 114.
