Thunder Surge Past Pacers 123-107, NBA Finals Even at 1-1

Thunder Strike Back to Even the Series

Energy in Oklahoma City was off the charts as the Thunder stormed past the Pacers 123-107, seizing Game 2 and breathing new life into the NBA Finals. After a rough start in Game 1, the Thunder needed a response, and their top guys delivered. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with his smooth drives and clutch mid-range jumpers, was impossible to stop and finished with a whopping 34 points. Fans barely had time to catch their breath between his highlight plays.

But it wasn't just Shai carrying the scoring load this time. Alex Caruso lit up the bench with 20 points—his hustle was contagious and his three-point shooting sparked key Thunder runs. Jalen Williams added 19, showing off his versatility, while Aaron Wiggins dropped 18 through some sneaky cuts and transition buckets. Chet Holmgren, steady and smart under pressure, chipped in 15. This lineup wasn’t about one superstar dragging the team—it was a complete Thunder attack, with nearly every main rotation player making noise.

Indiana Stalls Without a Lead Scorer

Indiana’s offense just couldn’t keep pace. Tyrese Haliburton did what he could, putting up 17, but every shot felt like an uphill battle. Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam added 16 and 15, but that trio never found a rhythm. There’s a weird stat for the history books—the Pacers became the first team in over a decade to reach the first two Finals games without a single player scoring at least 20. The lack of a go-to threat showed every time Oklahoma City turned up the defensive pressure.

The Pacers had a pulse midway through the second quarter with a 9-0 run, pulling the score close. But just when things got interesting, Gilgeous-Alexander and Caruso found answers, pushing the lead right back up. Every time Indiana hinted at a comeback, thunderous (no pun intended) momentum swings shut them down. By halfway through the third, the result was all but written.

This win snapped a long Finals drought for Oklahoma City—they hadn’t tasted this stage’s victory since the 2012 days of young Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Now it’s a whole new core, rebuilding the team’s identity and feeding off this deep postseason run.

Next up? Game 3 lands in Indianapolis, marking the first time in 25 years Pacers fans will see their team host a Finals contest. The series is wide open. With the Thunder’s depth on full display and the Pacers desperate for a scoring spark, this Finals could swing in any direction.