NBA Finals: MVP Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder to Game 2 victory, levels series
The Oklahoma City Thunder, fuelled by an efficient 34 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, thumped the Indiana Pacers 123-107 on Sunday, to level the NBA Finals at one game apiece.
NBA MVP Gilgeous-Alexander connected on 11 of 21 shots and added five rebounds, eight assists and four of Oklahoma City's 10 steals as the Thunder bounced back from an agonising game one defeat on their home court.
Jalen Williams added 19 points, and centre Chet Holmgren bounced back from a lacklustre six-point game one to score 15 points with six rebounds for the Thunder, who limited Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton to 17 points, three rebounds and six assists with five turnovers.
Haliburton, who drilled the last-gasp game-winner for Indiana in their 111-110 series opening triumph, had just five points through the first three quarters.
Despite his 12 points in the fourth, the Pacers never looked like mounting the kind of comeback that saw them erase a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit in game one.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (centre) after the game. Photo: AP
'We know with them [defence] is where it starts,' Gilgeous-Alexander said. 'They're a high-powered offence, they play fast, score a bunch of points and if you don't get stops you end up running all game and they can beat you that way.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
How a young stroke survivor beat panic and anxiety and got her life back
To prepare for her first half marathon, Kandi Schmitz signed up for a 5km run. Six friends and family members decided to join her. The race in Melbourne, in the US state of Florida, was a two-hour drive from Schmitz's home near West Palm Beach. So she decided to make a beach getaway out of it. By the time hotel reservations were made, the entourage had swollen to more than 20, including Schmitz's husband and their two young sons. On race day in 2015, Schmitz, then 31, and her fellow runners woke up early and left their families back at the hotel. The first 45 minutes of the run went smoothly. But with the finish line in sight, Schmitz felt a sharp pain in her left shoulder, like a pinched nerve. Suddenly she felt lightheaded and feared she would pass out. She sat down on the pavement and put her head between her knees. With the ocean breeze on her face, she felt a little better. But she did not feel stable enough to make it over the finish line. Her friend Kayla Cabrera, who had already finished, noticed her on the ground and went to help.
The Standard
a day ago
- The Standard
Weston McKennie defends USMNT teammates from criticism
Inglewood, California, USA; USA midfielder Weston McKennie (8) moves the ball against Canada defender during the first half dur
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- South China Morning Post
NBA star Victor Wembanyama joins Shaolin Temple, Game of Death, Airbender memes follow
Victor Wembanyama has ditched the chaos of the NBA court for some peace at a Shaolin Temple in China, and basketball fans are losing their minds. The San Antonio Spurs power forward, sporting a freshly shaved head and wearing robes, has been spotted with monks in Zhengzhou. While other players were letting off steam, the 21-year-old Frenchman has been journeying around mainland China, visiting the Great Wall, and even taking in some of the Volleyball Women's Nations League in Beijing last week, before a 10-day change of pace. Wembanyama has reportedly been meditating, training and sticking to the monk's strict lifestyle while among them, and fans wasted no time in wondering what that meant for the rest of the league. On one reddit thread, a Los Angeles Lakers fan said he was 'truly terrified of Wemby now'.
