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
The Standard
7 hours 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
a day 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'.
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- South China Morning Post
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.'
