In a scintillating display of offensive brilliance, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tied his career high with a 45-point outburst to propel the Oklahoma City Thunder to their ninth consecutive victory, a hard-fought 120-114 triumph over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night.
SGA’s Unstoppable Scoring Spree
From the opening tip, it was clear that Gilgeous-Alexander was locked in and ready to take over. The dynamic guard showcased his full arsenal, slicing through the Pacers’ defense with an array of deft drives, silky smooth jumpers, and trips to the charity stripe, where he was perfect on all 11 attempts.
SGA’s efficient 15-of-22 shooting performance was a masterclass in pick-your-poison scoring, as he relentlessly pressured the rim and made Indiana pay for giving him even a sliver of daylight from the perimeter. His 16 fourth-quarter points were crucial in staving off a late Pacers rally and sealing the Thunder’s ninth straight win.
When Shai is in that kind of groove, there’s not much the defense can do. He’s a special talent who can score from anywhere on the court, and he showed that again tonight.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault on SGA’s dominant performance
Thunder’s Young Guns Shine
While Gilgeous-Alexander stole the show, he had plenty of help from his young running mates. Rookie Jalen Williams continued his impressive campaign with 20 points, while big man Isaiah Hartenstein notched a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
The Thunder’s young core has been turning heads all season, and their nine-game surge has them firmly in the Western Conference playoff picture. With SGA leading the charge and a talented supporting cast finding their stride, Oklahoma City looks poised to make some noise down the stretch.
Pacers’ Streak Snapped Despite Valiant Effort
On the other side, Indiana saw its five-game winning streak come to an end despite a balanced attack. Rookie Andrew Nembhard paced the Pacers with 23 points, while Pascal Siakam added 22 points and 10 rebounds in a losing effort.
The Pacers fought valiantly, even taking a 107-103 lead late in the fourth quarter. But Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder had the final say, closing the game on a decisive 8-0 run to secure the victory.
SGA’s Meteoric Rise Continues
With his second straight 40-point game, Gilgeous-Alexander joined some elite company in the OKC record books. The last Thunder player to achieve the feat was Russell Westbrook in 2019, with Kevin Durant, Paul George, and Dale Ellis as the only other players in franchise history to do so.
At just 24 years old, SGA is rapidly ascending into the NBA’s upper echelon of stardom. His unique blend of skill, poise, and clutch gene has the Thunder faithful dreaming of a bright future, with Gilgeous-Alexander as the unquestioned face of the franchise.
Looking Ahead
With the win, Oklahoma City improved to 23-23 on the season, good for 10th in the tightly contested Western Conference. They’ll look to extend their streak to ten games when they host the Chicago Bulls on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Pacers will aim to get back on track as they continue their road trip against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. At 25-22, Indiana remains in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race, but they’ll need to quickly bounce back from this tough loss.
The Bottom Line
On a night when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander channeled his inner superstar, the Thunder showcased why they’re one of the most exciting young teams in the NBA. With SGA at the helm and a talented supporting cast finding their groove, Oklahoma City is a force to be reckoned with as the season enters its pivotal stretch.
