The Oklahoma City Thunder responded with the kind of dominance that’s defined their season. After dropping Game 1 by a single point, the Thunder roared back Sunday night with a commanding 123-107 victory over the Indiana Pacers to tie the NBA Finals at 1-1.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the MVP frontrunner and emotional engine of this young Thunder squad, poured in 34 points in the win. His first basket of the night not only sparked the crowd, but etched his name further into history, marking his 3,000th point of the season (including playoffs). Later, he surpassed Jalen Brunson to become the top scorer in the 2025 postseason.
“Honestly, I’m just happy we got the win,” Gilgeous-Alexander said postgame. “Records are cool, but we came here to even the series.”
It was the Thunder’s first Finals win since Game 1 of the 2012 championship against the Miami Heat—a game that featured Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, long gone from the roster. This time, a new generation delivered.
Alex Caruso, the veteran spark plug off the bench, added 20 points, hitting big shots and locking down defensively. Jalen Williams scored 19, Aaron Wiggins added 18, and rookie Chet Holmgren chipped in with 15 points, giving the Thunder five double-figure scorers in a balanced and relentless attack.
The game turned in the second quarter. A 19-2 Thunder run turned a six-point edge into a 23-point avalanche. Though the Pacers briefly responded with a 10-0 push, and later trimmed the lead to 13 midway through the third, Oklahoma City never lost control.
The Thunder, who are now 18-2 following losses this season (including the in-season tournament), have shown a remarkable ability to rebound from setbacks. Twelve of those wins have come by double digits — and Game 2 added another.
Indiana, meanwhile, struggled to find rhythm or a go-to scorer. Tyrese Haliburton had 17 points but never took over the game. Myles Turner scored 16, and Pascal Siakam contributed 15, as the Pacers became the first team since the 2013 Miami Heat to go the first two Finals games without a 20-point scorer.
“I thought we lacked a sense of urgency in stretches,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle admitted. “You can’t do that against a team like the Thunder. They make you pay.”
Now the series heads to Indianapolis for a pivotal Game 3 on Wednesday night. It will mark the first NBA Finals game in that city in 25 years, and the Pacers will be hoping their return home can reignite their offensive firepower.
As for Oklahoma City, they’ve rediscovered their identity — resilient, youthful, and unafraid of the moment.
“It’s loud here, it’s crazy,” Holmgren said, referencing the deafening crowd that topped 100 decibels during Game 2. “But we feed off that. We’re built for this.”
Game 3 is shaping up to be a turning point. The series is even. The momentum has shifted. And the Thunder have made it clear — they’re not just here to compete, they’re here to win it all.
