The Oklahoma City Thunder are at home on Sunday night as they take on the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
Oklahoma City enters Sunday’s game looking to bounce back after their collapse in the fourth quarter of Game 1.
Of course, the Thunder led the entirety of Game 1 until Tyrese Haliburton hit the game-winning shot with 0.3 seconds remaining to help the Pacers steal a game on the road and take a 1-0 series lead.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Mar 12, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket beside Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) during the first quarter at Paycom Center.
© Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Because of this, the Thunder are in a potential must-win situation in Game 2 as they try to avoid falling down 2-0 in the series before it shifts to Indiana for Game 3 on Wednesday.
The good news for the Thunder is that they enter Sunday’s game with a clean injury report as they have only one player listed on it.
That player is rookie guard Nikola Topic who is out for the remainder of the season as he continues to recover from a torn ACL he suffered last summer.
With the Thunder’s core healthy, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, they will look to bounce back to even the series up 1-1.
On the other side, the Pacers have ruled out two players for Sunday’s game.
Indiana has ruled out Jarace Walker for the second consecutive game due to an ankle injury that he suffered in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks.
Nov 6, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker (5) celebrates a made basket in the second half against the Orlando Magic at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Nov 6, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker (5) celebrates a made basket in the second half against the Orlando Magic at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
This is a massive blow for the Pacers as Walker has been a solid piece for them off the bench but he could be in line to return in Game 3 on Wednesday night.
Indiana has also ruled out Isaiah Jackson as he continues to recover from a torn Achilles that he suffered early in the season.
Fans can catch Sunday’s Game 2 matchup between the Pacers and Thunder at 8:00 p.m. EST on ABC.