Shai Gilgeous-Alexander exploded for a career-high 55 points to propel the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 141-135 double-overtime victory over the Indiana Pacers, marking their second consecutive double-OT win to start the season—a historic first in NBA history. This thrilling rematch of last season’s NBA Finals showcased the Thunder’s resilience and depth, even while shorthanded, as they grinded out a hard-fought road win in Indianapolis on Thursday night.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, delivered a monumental performance, playing 45 minutes and scoring 23 of his points from the free-throw line, where he went 20-of-23. This marked his fifth 50-point game, tying Russell Westbrook for the most in franchise history, and he emphasized the importance of securing early-season wins for potential playoff home-court advantage. Despite visible exhaustion, he refused to let the team falter in critical moments, embodying the Thunder’s relentless spirit. After the game, he let out a long exhale, acknowledging the fatigue but seeing it as a good way to break the ice on the season.
The Thunder were missing key contributors Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe, and Alex Caruso due to injuries, but second-year guard Ajay Mitchell stepped up with a career-best 26 points off the bench. Coach Mark Daigneault praised Mitchell’s composure, noting that he didn’t ‘blink’ in the high-pressure environment, which highlighted the team’s trust in its young talent. Gilgeous-Alexander gave Mitchell a big hug post-game, commending him for the best game of his career and underscoring the collective effort required in such tight contests.
On the Pacers’ side, the team faced significant challenges, including the season-long absence of star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, Aaron Nesmith fouling out in the fourth quarter, and Andrew Nembhard suffering a shoulder injury that required further testing. Despite these setbacks, Pascal Siakam recorded 32 points and 15 rebounds, while Bennedict Mathurin added 36 points and 11 rebounds, keeping the game fiercely competitive until the final moments. Coach Rick Carlisle emphasized that ‘grit is what our makeup is going to have to be this year,’ acknowledging the long-term challenges ahead.
The contest was physical, with 70 personal fouls and 51 free-throw attempts, and it saw multiple lead changes in the fourth quarter. The Thunder pulled to a seven-point lead at halftime, but the Pacers started to pull back with a hot second half from Mathurin. Siakam tied the game with a tough jumper with 6.5 seconds left, forcing overtime after Gilgeous-Alexander’s potential game-winner was thwarted by a well-timed Pacers double-team.
In the first overtime, both teams kept up the pressure in a turnover-heavy extra period, but neither could pull ahead enough to end the game. Then, in the second overtime, Oklahoma City started to pull away, icing the lead with yet a few more Gilgeous-Alexander free throws. A controversial moment occurred when Pacers’ Obi Toppin had a massive steal off an inbound from Chet Holmgren, but officials called it back as Thunder coach Mark Daigneault had called a timeout just before the play, drawing the ire of the Indiana crowd.
This 2-0 start, achieved through back-to-back double-overtime wins, sets a positive tone for Oklahoma City’s title defense and demonstrates their grit early in the season. As the team navigates injuries and a demanding schedule, their ability to win tight games could prove crucial for playoff positioning, reinforcing their status as a formidable contender in the Western Conference. The historic nature of this start adds an extra layer of confidence as they look to repeat their championship success.