In a dramatic season-opener that included yet another double-overtime battle, the Oklahoma City Thunder edged past the Indiana Pacers 141–135, powered by a career-high 55 points from Gilgeous-Alexander. This marks the Thunder’s second consecutive 2OT victory to begin the season — a feat never before accomplished in NBA history.
Gilgeous-Alexander logged 45 minutes of action (after 47 in the opener) and shot 15-of-31 from the field and an efficient 23-of-26 from the free-throw line. He reflected on the physical toll afterward: “I’m tired, but it’s expected … good way to break the ice on the season, shake the rust off, kind of bust the lungs up, get my cardio back.”
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault had hoped to limit minutes after Tuesday’s win, but Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t content with protecting his energy — he wanted to finish the game, refusing to let a chance slip away. With the game tied late in regulation and again in the first overtime, OKC leaned on him to push through fatigue and secure the win.
On the Pacers side, Benedict Mathurin poured in 36 points and grabbed 11 rebounds but fouled out early in the second overtime. Indiana also lost Aaron Nesmith and Ben Sheppard to fouls, which further hampered their chances in the closing minutes. Meanwhile, Indiana veteran Pascal Siakam added a 32-point, 15-rebound effort, yet it wasn’t enough to overcome OKC’s late push.
