INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander equaled his career-best performance with 45 points, propelling the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 120-114 triumph over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night. Gilgeous-Alexander showcased his prowess by converting 15 of his 22 shots from the field and making all 11 of his attempts from the free-throw line, guiding the Thunder to their ninth consecutive victory.
Alongside Gilgeous-Alexander’s stellar performance, Jalen Williams contributed 20 points, while Isaiah Hartenstein secured a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds for the Thunder. On the opposing side, Andrew Nembhard tallied 23 points, supported by Pascal Siakam’s 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Pacers, whose five-game winning streak came to an end. Bennedict Mathurin chipped in with 18 points, and Myles Turner grabbed 11 rebounds.
After Tyrese Haliburton’s basket gave the Pacers a 107-103 lead, the Thunder responded with an 8-0 scoring run, seizing a 111-107 advantage with 1:39 left on the clock. The Pacers had held a 15-point lead in the first half but were up by only 61-53 at halftime. Heading into the final quarter, they maintained a slim 84-83 lead following a three-pointer by Jarace Walker in the closing seconds of the period.
Key Takeaways:
Thunder: Gilgeous-Alexander emerged as the game-changer, propelling the Thunder to victory in a tightly contested matchup featuring 11 lead changes. The Thunder managed to secure the lead in the third quarter despite the absence of defensive stalwart Alex Caruso, who was sidelined due to a left hip strain sustained in Monday’s win over Washington.
Pacers: Indiana grappled with an underwhelming performance from Haliburton, who registered just four points. Additionally, Obi Toppin suffered a left ankle sprain in the first quarter, briefly returning in the second quarter for four minutes before sitting out the remainder of the game.
Key Moment:
Gilgeous-Alexander’s clutch 26-foot three-pointer extended the Thunder’s lead to 114-109 with 59 seconds remaining, ultimately proving pivotal in securing the victory.
Key Stat:
The Pacers committed 11 turnovers, a significant disparity compared to Oklahoma City’s turnover count, which stood at three.
