Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a career-high 55 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a thrilling 141-135 double-overtime victory over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday, in a historic rematch of last season’s NBA Finals. The reigning NBA MVP added eight rebounds and five assists, shooting 15-of-31 from the field and 23-of-26 from the free-throw line, contributing to a 45-of-51 team effort at the line. He scored nine points in the second overtime to seal the win for the Thunder.
Oklahoma City, coming off a double-overtime win over Houston in their season opener, became the first NBA team in history to play double overtime in each of their first two games. Gilgeous-Alexander’s previous career-best was 54 points, making this his fifth 50-point performance in the league. Key contributors included Ajay Mitchell (26 points), Aaron Wiggins (23 points), Isaiah Hartenstein (14 rebounds), and Chet Holmgren (15 points, 12 rebounds).
The game was tight throughout. Gilgeous-Alexander’s three-point play gave the Thunder a 127-126 lead in the second overtime, and a bank shot with 2:47 remaining extended the advantage to 132-128. He added four free throws in the final 30 seconds to secure the win. For Indiana, Bennedict Mathurin led with 36 points and 11 rebounds, while Pascal Siakam added 32 points and 15 rebounds.
The Pacers were without Tyrese Haliburton (torn Achilles) and Myles Turner (traded), and lost guard Andrew Nembhard to a shoulder injury in the second quarter. Oklahoma City led 54-47 at halftime, with Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 21 points in the first half and making 11-of-12 free throws. The Thunder held an 81-78 lead entering the fourth quarter, with the game remaining close until the double-overtime finish.
Oklahoma City, coming off a double-overtime win over Houston in their season opener, became the first NBA team in history to play double overtime in each of their first two games. Gilgeous-Alexander’s previous career-best was 54 points, making this his fifth 50-point performance in the league. Key contributors included Ajay Mitchell (26 points), Aaron Wiggins (23 points), Isaiah Hartenstein (14 rebounds), and Chet Holmgren (15 points, 12 rebounds).
The game was tight throughout. Gilgeous-Alexander’s three-point play gave the Thunder a 127-126 lead in the second overtime, and a bank shot with 2:47 remaining extended the advantage to 132-128. He added four free throws in the final 30 seconds to secure the win. For Indiana, Bennedict Mathurin led with 36 points and 11 rebounds, while Pascal Siakam added 32 points and 15 rebounds.
The Pacers were without Tyrese Haliburton (torn Achilles) and Myles Turner (traded), and lost guard Andrew Nembhard to a shoulder injury in the second quarter. Oklahoma City led 54-47 at halftime, with Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 21 points in the first half and making 11-of-12 free throws. The Thunder held an 81-78 lead entering the fourth quarter, with the game remaining close until the double-overtime finish.
