On Thursday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder extended their winning streak to nine games with a thrilling 120-114 victory over the Indiana Pacers at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The standout performer for the Thunder was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who matched his career high by pouring in 45 points, leading his team to claim the win and improve their record to 24-5.
Gilgeous-Alexander demonstrated shooting prowess by hitting 15 of 22 attempts from the field and draining all 11 of his free-throw attempts. His performance was pivotal, especially as the game saw numerous lead changes and was tightly contested throughout. Jalen Williams added support for the Thunder with 20 points, and Isaiah Hartenstein made his presence felt with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
The Pacers began the game strong, initially building a 15-point lead, largely fueled by contributions from Andrew Nembhard, who scored 23 points, and Pascal Siakam, who tallied 22 points along with 10 rebounds. Despite this strong start, Indiana faltered as the game progressed, allowing the Thunder to take control.
Tyrese Haliburton, the All-Star point guard for the Pacers, faced significant challenges during the match. He was guarded closely by Lu Dort, whose defensive attributes were on full display. Haliburton ended the game with only four points, shooting just 2-of-6 from the field and missing both of his three-point attempts. His struggle contrasted sharply with past performances, raising eyebrows among fans and analysts alike.
Post-game, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged Haliburton's difficult outing. “Ty only ended up with four points and six shots, but they committed Lu Dort to him. And Lu Dort is as good as a defender as there is in this league,” Carlisle noted, highlighting the effectiveness of Oklahoma City's defense. This drastic dip from Haliburton's usual scoring output resulted in mixed reactions from fans, many taking to social media to express their disappointment and frustration.
One fan tweeted, "Is Tyrese Haliburton the worst star in the entire NBA?" prompting discussions about his performance relative to expectations. Others pointed out how Haliburton was outperformed by lesser-known teammates such as Ben Sheppard and Obi Toppin during the match, which did not help his case.
Despite Haliburton’s struggles, the Pacers managed to maintain competitiveness, holding the score to 84-83 at the end of the third quarter. After Haliburton helped the Pacers regain the lead at one point, the Thunder made their decisive 8-0 run late, which included Gilgeous-Alexander's clutch three-pointer from 26 feet, marking the shift of momentum entirely.
The loss snapped Indiana’s five-game winning streak, leaving them now with a season record of 15-16 and positioning them as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. Next, the Pacers will face the Boston Celtics, where they will look to bounce back and regain their form after this disappointing performance.
Looking forward, Gilgeous-Alexander expressed contentment with the win but no intention of slowing down as the season progresses. "Every game is important, and we need to keep this momentum going through our next matchups. We have difficult games coming up, but I believe we can handle it," he said.
The contrasting fortunes of the teams on this night showcase the unpredictable nature of the NBA. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's outstanding performance coupled with Tyrese Haliburton’s significant drop-off produced reactions from fans, serving as reminders of the highs and lows professional athletes experience.
For the Thunder, the focus will be on maintaining this winning streak when they face the Charlotte Hornets next. For the Pacers, the challenge lies head-on as Haliburton and his teammates gear up for what they hope to be another chance to right the ship against the Celtics.
