Thunder Outlast Pacers in Historic Double-Overtime Battle

INDIANAPOLIS — The Oklahoma City Thunder secured a thrilling victory against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night in a historic double-overtime matchup, marking the first time any NBA team has begun a season with two consecutive double-overtime games. The final score was 141-135, mirroring an intense rematch from last season’s NBA Finals.

Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with a career-high 55 points, showcasing his stamina after playing 45 minutes, on the heels of a 47-minute performance in their season opener. “I’m tired, but it’s expected,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “It’s a good way to break the ice on the season.”

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault had aimed to manage the players’ minutes following their previous grueling game. However, Gilgeous-Alexander’s determination to win kept the team focused. “Being in the moment and understanding that we’re down five, it’s three minutes left, there’s a lot of time left,” he noted. “The beginning of the season is just as important as the end.”

The Thunder also faced challenges, playing without key players like Chet Holmgren and Josh Giddey. Yet, second-year guard Tre Mann rose to the occasion, contributing a career-best 26 points off the bench. “Everybody has a lot of trust in him and his talent,” Daigneault commented on Mann’s performance.

As the final buzzer echoed in the arena, Gilgeous-Alexander and Mann exchanged a hug, representing not only the physical exhaustion of the game but also a mutual respect for their hard-fought effort. Gilgeous-Alexander said, “Different guys stepping up. This team never makes excuses. It’s always ready for their moment.”

Despite setbacks, the Pacers pushed the Thunder to their limits. They were already without star point guard Tyrese Haliburton for the season and lost players Andrew Nembhard and Myles Turner to injuries during the game. Coach Rick Carlisle expressed concern over Nembhard’s shoulder injury, stating it could pose challenges ahead.

The Pacers’ resilience was evident as they fought hard, with Turner scoring 36 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Carlisle emphasized the importance of grit moving forward: “We’ve just got to be able to take on these challenges on a long-term basis.”