Oklahoma City Thunder top the Pacers 123‑107 to even NBA Finals in Game 2

Oklahoma City Thunder evened the 2025 NBA Finals with a 123–107 win over the Indiana Pacers, powered by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 34 points. The series now moves to Indianapolis for Game 3.

Oklahoma City, OK. (WE) — Oklahoma City reclaimed its swagger on Sunday night, routing Indiana 123–107 in Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. This win leveled the series 1–1. After a gut-wrenching one-point loss in Game 1, the Thunder made the exact statement they needed. From the opening tip, Mark Daigneault’s squad controlled the tempo. They showcased their depth, defensive discipline, and offensive firepower that defined their 68–14 regular season and Western Conference title.

Meanwhile, severe weather threatened the broadcast, with tornado warnings around the arena forcing ESPN/ABC to operate remotely. Despite these challenges, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stole the spotlight again. The reigning MVP scored 34 points and dished out eight assists. Moreover, he vaulted past 3,000 combined regular-season and postseason points—a milestone reached by legends like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Gilgeous-Alexander delivered clutch offense and anchored a tenacious defense that never let Indiana catch fire.

His teammates, however, refused to stay in his shadow. Bench standout Alex Caruso scored 20 points, hitting 4 of 8 from behind the arc. In addition, Jalen Williams added 19 points. Aaron Wiggins contributed 18 points, lighting up the court. Chet Holmgren bounced back strong, finishing with 15 points after a quiet Game 1. This collective effort fueled a massive second-quarter 19–2 run. Thus, it put the game well beyond reach and showed the Thunder’s unity on both ends of the floor.

Indiana struggled from the start. Tyrese Haliburton, who had a deep mid-range buzzer-beater to steal Game 1, scored only five points through three quarters. He finished with 17, mainly when the outcome was already decided. Myles Turner chipped in 16 points, and Pascal Siakam scored 15. Notably, the Pacers failed to produce a 20-point scorer for the first time in a Finals since Miami’s 2013 struggles.

Indiana’s attempt to make history with an 8–0 playoff start ended. They will finish 7–1 in Games 1 and 2, tying the fifth-best record in NBA history. To reach the Finals, they rallied past Milwaukee, Cleveland, and New York without home-court advantage. While they join the elite, they fall short of history.

The timing was symbolic: this was the first NBA Finals game in Indianapolis in 25 years. Now the series shifts east for Games 3 and 4. For now, the series is reset. The Thunder hit back emphatically. They didn’t just respond to Game 1. Instead, they looked, as their metaphor goes, like a literal thunderstorm at home.

Oklahoma City started steadily and then accelerated in the second quarter with a crucial 19–2 spurt. Indiana managed a brief 10–0 run to cut the lead but never threatened afterward. From midway through the second quarter to the final buzzer, it was all Thunder. Oklahoma City controlled every quarter and carried the momentum. This marked a stunning rebound from their Game 1 collapse.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 34 points and eight assists. He became the 12th player in NBA history to reach 3,000 season points. Alex Caruso sparked the second unit with 20 points and four three-pointers. Jalen Williams added 19 vital points during key stretches. Aaron Wiggins supported the team with 18 points and timely threes. Chet Holmgren bounced back with 15 points, making up for his quiet Game 1. Meanwhile, Tyrese Haliburton struggled early and ended with 17 points, unable to match his Game 1 heroics.

Coach Mark Daigneault made clear, effective decisions. He doubled down on aggressive defense and heavy rotations. By reintegrating Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder forced the Pacers out of the paint. They held Indiana scoreless inside early and disrupted their rhythm. On the other side, Rick Carlisle reminded the media that dwelling on past games is “dangerous” and urged focus on the series long-term. However, Indiana’s offense lacked consistency. They shot 7 of 22 from three but never broke through the Thunder’s fade defense or countered their second-quarter strategy.

The Pacers aimed to match four legendary dynasties—the 1986 Celtics, 1987 Lakers, 1996 Bulls, and 2017 Warriors—all of which swept Games 1 and 2 in every round and won titles. Indiana’s chase was bold, and their 7–1 start was near historic. But those other teams enjoyed home court throughout, an edge Indiana lacked after Round 1. Oklahoma City, the youngest Finals team since the 1977 Trail Blazers, shows no fear of history. Their toughness and resilience have defined the series.

Read More:

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• Thunder and Pacers Set for Historic NBA Finals Clash in Search of First Title
• The NBA Finals Are Set: Thunder vs. Pacers, Starting Thursday Night

The energy inside Paycom Center peaked at 100 decibels—like a chainsaw. During the second-quarter run, the arena sounded like a storm warning. It was true thunder—momentum, belief, and an unrelenting roar. Outside, tornado warnings forced production teams offsite. Yet, neither lightning nor sirens disrupted the game or the statement made.

With the series tied, both teams head to Indianapolis with lessons and unfinished business. Oklahoma City proved it can win at home and bounce back. Indiana lost its early grip but remains undefeated in Games 3 and 4. Returning home, they aim to seize momentum.

Game 3 arrives Wednesday in Indianapolis. It marks the Finals’ return after 25 years. Both franchises know the stakes. An early surge by Indiana would regain control. Conversely, another emphatic Thunder win could put pressure on the home team.

Expect adjustments, tighter defense, and bench minutes scrutinized. Can Indiana’s bench match OKC’s firepower? Will Haliburton regain his late-game magic? Will Daigneault let starters dominate or stagger minutes? These questions will turn this series into must-watch drama.

Teams starting 2–0 in the Finals win 86.5% of the time (32 of 37). OKC avoided one of only two road starts like that since 1993. Indiana became the third team this postseason to win five first-two playoff games on the road, joining the 1995 Rockets and 2023 Heat. OKC is now 18–2 after losses, with 12 wins by double digits, showing their never-say-die attitude.

The series heads north with both teams focused. OKC brings momentum, energy, and home confidence. Indiana sharpens focus, fueled by home court and last season’s buzzer-beater magic. Wednesday marks Indiana’s Finals revival after 25 years. It will test their character under fire.

Whichever team adapts fastest and sustains production will flip the series wide open. The league’s youngest Finals contender faces an Eastern upstart. Game 2 wasn’t just a win. Rather, it was a blueprint—stroke by stroke, stop by stop—of what this Thunder team is built to do.

Game 2 may be over, but the story is heating up. With shifting tides and colliding narratives in Indianapolis, every play, adjustment, and pulse-check matters far beyond a single night in Oklahoma City. Therefore, buckle up—it’s Finals basketball entering a new, electrifying chapter.