Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shone brightly on Thursday night, scoring 45 points and almost achieving a triple-double as the Oklahoma City Thunder rallied past the Indiana Pacers, with a final score of 120-114, marking their ninth consecutive victory.
Trailing by 15 points early on, the Thunder showed incredible determination as they fought back, turning the tide after some initial struggles. Gilgeous-Alexander's performance was nothing short of spectacular, as he hit 15 of 22 shots from the field and was flawless at the free-throw line, converting all 11 attempts. His final tally also included seven rebounds and eight assists.
Alongside Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams contributed valuable support with 20 points. Isaiah Hartenstein’s contributions of 11 points and 13 rebounds also played a key role, particularly during the latter stages of the game when the Thunder needed to secure their lead.
The game had its share of intensity, characterized by eight lead changes and the ever-tightening scoreline. The Pacers initially controlled the game, taking a 61-53 lead at halftime after building upon their dominance early on, particularly during a strong first quarter. Unfortunately for Indiana, their five-game winning streak came to an abrupt end.
Andrew Nembhard led the Pacers with 23 points, supported by Pascal Siakam who registered 22 points and 10 rebounds. Bennedict Mathurin also played well, finishing with 18 points. Despite the strong individual performances from Indiana, they struggled to contain the Thunder's explosive offense as the game progressed.
A pivotal moment arrived with just 1:39 left on the clock when the Thunder, down 107-103, launched an 8-0 run including clutch free throws from Williams and Hartenstein. This barrage culminated with Gilgeous-Alexander hitting the dagger—a three-pointer with under one minute to play—extending their lead to 114-109.
“It felt great to contribute and help my team secure this win,” said Gilgeous-Alexander after the game. Facing adversity early, the Thunder's ability to recalibrate and fight back showcased their growing prowess as one of the top teams this season.
The Thunder took control of the game offensively, where they outscored the Pacers 27-22, 29-24, and 38-30 respectively across the last three quarters, reversing the early setback they encountered.
While the Thunder celebrated, the Pacers faced challenges; Tyrese Haliburton, who typically influences games with scoring and playmaking, had only four points, unable to find his rhythm, largely due to aggressive defense from Lu Dort. Indiana also suffered due to Obi Toppin's injury—the forward sprained his left ankle during the first quarter and didn’t play the second half after briefly trying to return.
“Haliburton was well-defended, and it really impacted our game plan,” noted Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. “Without Toppin as well, we were forced to adjust, and it wasn’t enough to compete with Oklahoma City.”
Both teams strived for momentum, but the Thunder's defensive strategies shone through, allowing them to capitalize on the Pacers' turnovers. The Pacers committed 11 turnovers compared to just three from Oklahoma City, indicating the pressure they faced throughout the night.
This win propels the Thunder forward as they now get ready to face the Charlotte Hornets next on Saturday. The Pacers, having fallen short, will look to regroup before taking on the Boston Celtics the following day.
Oklahoma City's run is not just about victories; it's about establishing themselves as serious contenders. With players like Gilgeous-Alexander leading from the front and the supportive cast stepping up at pivotal moments, the Thunder are increasingly becoming a team to watch this season.
