This has been Oklahoma City’s formula all season: Lose one game, respond in the next. And in Game 2 of the NBA Finals 2025, the Oklahoma City Thunder stuck to that script perfectly.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 34 points, Alex Caruso added 20 off the bench, and the Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers 123-107 on Sunday night to tie the NBA Finals at 1-1.
Jalen Williams scored 19, Aaron Wiggins had 18, and Chet Holmgren added 15 in what became the Thunder’s first win in an NBA Finals game since 2012. That last victory came in the opener against the Miami Heat.
“We did some things good tonight. We did some things bad,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We’ve got to be able to get better and be ready for Game 3.”
The Pacers, led by Tyrese Haliburton with 17 points, never found their rhythm in Game 2. Myles Turner chipped in with 16 points, and Pascal Siakam added 15. Indiana is now the first team since the 2013 Miami Heat to not have a 20-point scorer in either of the first two NBA Finals games.
NBA Finals Game 3 Set for Indianapolis
Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Finals is scheduled for Wednesday in Indianapolis, marking the city’s first time hosting an NBA Finals game in 25 years.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s first bucket of the night made history: It marked his 3,000th point this season – regular season and playoffs combined. He later surpassed Jalen Brunson as the playoffs’ top scorer with 518 points.
But more importantly, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the Thunder core secured their first win on the NBA’s biggest stage.
Oklahoma City Thunder Respond With Dominant Game 2 Performance
A massive 19-2 second-quarter run turned a tight contest into a 23-point Thunder advantage. While the Pacers responded with a 10-0 surge and trimmed the lead to 13 at one point, Oklahoma City maintained control throughout.
With crowd noise exceeding 100 decibels, the Thunder executed their trademark response – bouncing back strong after a loss. Following a heartbreaking 111-110 defeat in Game 1, they stormed back with authority in Game 2.
Including their NBA In-Season Tournament title game, Oklahoma City is now 18-2 after a loss this season. Even more impressive: 12 of those 18 wins have come by double digits.
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