Thunder Edge Pacers in 4OT Thriller
The Oklahoma City Thunder outlasted the Indiana Pacers 141-135 in a back-and-forth game that went four overtimes, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander pouring in a career-high 55 points. The Thunder marked their second consecutive double-overtime victory to begin the season, a feat previously unseen in NBA history. The Pacers, meanwhile, were led by Bennedict Mathurin and Pascal Siakam, who each had a double-double and combined for 68 points.
Key Takeaways:
- The Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander set a new career high with 55 points in the team's 141-135 win over the Pacers.
- The game went four overtimes, setting a new record for the most overtimes in an NBA season opener.
- The Thunder became the first team in NBA history to begin a season with double overtimes in their first two games.
- Pacers forward Bennedict Mathurin and Pascal Siakam each had a double-double, combining for 68 points in the loss.
- Thunder's Aaron Wiggins added 23 points and nine rebounds, while Ajay Mitchell set a new career high with 26 points off the bench for the Thunder.
- Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton was not in attendance due to injury.
- The Thunder shot 51 free throws, more than twice as many as the Pacers.
- Gilgeous-Alexander said the extra overtimes were "tough" but a good way to "bust the lungs up" and "get cardio back."
Statistics:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 55 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists
- Bennedict Mathurin: 36 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists
- Pascal Siakam: 32 points, 14 rebounds
- Aaron Wiggins: 23 points, 9 rebounds
- Ajay Mitchell: 26 points, 4 rebounds
- Tyrese Haliburton's absence due to injury
- 51 free throws shot by the Thunder
- 50 points from Aaron Gordon in the Nuggets' loss to the Warriors