Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (L) of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots in Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, June 8, 2025. /VCG
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (L) of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots in Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, June 8, 2025. /VCG
The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers 123-107 in Game 2 of the NBA Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on Sunday, tying the series 1-1 before heading to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, for Game 3 on Wednesday and Game 4 on Friday.
The Thunder apparently learnt their lesson from the lost Game 1 in which they allowed the opponents to shoot 18-for-39 behind the three-point line. The hosts made full advantage the defensive mobility of the squad centered by Chet Holmgren, limiting the Pacers to shooting 14-for-40 from downtown in Game 2.
Meanwhile, though OKC didn't start Isaiah Hartenstein, they increased his time to enhance their protection of the paint, especially when both sides had more bench players on the court. Such tactics paid off for OKC, who allowed only seven offensive rebounds, a lot fewer compared with 13 in Game 1.
Alex Caruso (L) of the Oklahoma City Thunder guards Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of the NBA Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, June 8, 2025. /VCG
Alex Caruso (L) of the Oklahoma City Thunder guards Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of the NBA Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, June 8, 2025. /VCG
The Thunder made correct adjustments on the offensive end as well. Instead of watching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) play isolation on most occasions, both Holmgren and Jalen Williams stepped up early to share the regular season Most Valuable Player's (MVP's) burden. Holmgren contributed nine of his 15 points in the first quarter while Williams got nine in the second.
SGA remained sharp offensively as he always was, scoring 34 points, five rebounds and eight assists. He also led the Thunder with four steals.
And there was Alex Caruso who got OKC's second-highest 20 points off the bench. He made four three-points out of eight attempts, the second-most on the night. When he was no longer an offensive liability for the opponents to exploit, Caruso could hurt Indiana badly with his defensive power. The visitors launched two rallies, one by Pascal Siakam and the other by Tyrese Haliburton. Caruso was the one sent to slow them down on both occasions.
Seven Pacers' players scored double-digit points, but none of them reached 20. Haliburton led the roster with 17, but 12 of them came in the fourth quarter. When he struggled in the first three, his side trailed by 93-74.