2025 NBA Finals: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Leads Thunder to Blowout Win Over Indiana

No Tyrese Haliburton game-winner this time.

The Oklahoma City Thunder made a statement in Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals, emphatically rebounding with a 123-107 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. The win tied the series at 1-1, reverting momentum to OKC as the Finals moved to Indianapolis for Game 3.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Puts on a Clinic

2025 NBA Finals: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Leads Thunder to Blowout Win

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander provided an MVP-caliber performance, going 34 points on 11-of-21 shooting and 11 of 12 from the free-throw line. The All-Star NBA guard was in command from the tip of the game, dictating the pace offensively while leading the Thunder's stout defensive attack.

After a subpar conclusion to Game 1, when he missed a would-be game-winner, Gilgeous-Alexander returned sharper and more concentrated.

Aside from their sweet win, the "Free Throw Merchant" recorded another history in the NBA books. His 72 points through his first two Finals games were the most in NBA history.

Thunder Defense Shuts Down Indiana's Offense

Oklahoma City's defense clamped down early and never let up. The Thunder held the Pacers to just 38.7% shooting through the first three quarters, making every possession a challenge.

Indiana, known for its quick scoring and resilience, struggled to find a rhythm, particularly Tyrese Haliburton, who managed only five points through three quarters before finishing with 17.

The Pacers had no solution for the Thunder's pesky perimeter defense and were outrun in transition and half-court. This was in stark contrast to Game 1, when Indiana's fourth-quarter comeback stunned OKC.

Thunder Fix Game 1 Mistakes and Dominate the Paint

After blowing a 15-point lead in Game 1, Oklahoma City ensured that history did not repeat itself. The Thunder took the lead in the middle of the second quarter and had a double-digit advantage in the last 31 minutes of the game.

This time around, the Thunder swept their errors aside. They outshot Indiana from the floor, shot better from beyond the three-point line, and out-rebounded the Pacers — something they had dominated during the opener. OKC also attempted more free throws and made those opportunities with remarkable effectiveness.

OKC's Supporting Casts Step Up

The Thunder won't win Game 2 with SGA alone. Alex Caruso scored 20 points, while Jalen Williams and Aaron Wiggins added 19 points and 18 points, respectively. Meanwhile, big man Chet Holmgren rebounded in a major way, scoring 15 and making shots on defense.

"That's a long 48 hours when you lose Game 1 like that, coming into Game 2," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. "The guys did a great job of just focusing on what we needed to do to stack to a win tonight. That's how we got it."

Pacers' Comeback Magic Runs Dry

Even with their comeback reputation this postseason, the Pacers could not conjure up another miracle. Indiana was behind for more than 38 minutes and never ahead by more than three points at any point. Haliburton's late surge was not enough, and the Thunder's lead swelled as the game went along.

With the NBA Finals tied 1-1, Game 3 will be an important swing game. Oklahoma City has seemed to rebound and edge back into rhythm, whereas Indiana needs to regroup in a hurry to get behind at home.