Thunder Respond with Statement Win in Game 2
The mood in Oklahoma City flipped overnight. Just 48 hours after the Thunder’s nervy Game 1 stumble, they roared back, taking down the Indiana Pacers 123-107 to even the NBA Finals series. Now it feels like a real fight, not a coronation for either side—especially with young big man Chet Holmgren putting his Game 1 struggles in the rear-view mirror quicker than even the most loyal Thunder fan could have hoped.
Holmgren, who looked a bit lost in his Finals debut, came out hungry. He dropped nine of his total 15 points in the first quarter, bullying Pacers defenders inside and stepping out to nail a three-pointer that had the home crowd buzzing. Six rebounds and pesky rim protection made him a constant presence, but it was his blend of confidence and skill that set the pace early on. His performance sent a message—when Chet's locked in, Oklahoma City’s ceiling skyrockets.
Aaron Wiggins, the Thunder’s swiss army knife, provided the other spark OKC badly needed. Off the bench, Wiggins was relentless. He hit 18 points with a cool head, crashing the glass, running the floor, and knocking down open shots when Indiana’s defense bent under pressure. It’s the kind of depth every contending team craves, and it didn’t go unnoticed—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander singled out Wiggins post-game for showing up when it mattered most.
Defense Tightens, Series Moves to Indianapolis
The Thunder didn’t just shoot better; their defense rewrote the script. After letting Indiana’s main weapons run wild in Game 1, OKC’s perimeter defenders cut down driving lanes, closed out aggressively on shooters, and forced a flurry of Pacers turnovers. The 123 points on the scoreboard were the headline, but this win started with swarming stops and quick decisions on the other end. Indiana found space much harder to come by, and their offense ground to a halt in several crucial stretches.
Now with the Finals locked at 1-1, the scene shifts to Indiana. But the Thunder’s regular season dominance (remember, they ripped off 68 wins) means they’ve got the edge if this thing goes the distance—four potential home games out of seven. The Pacers are up against the wall, still looking for a signature NBA title, and they’ll host Game 3 in front of a desperate home crowd on June 11. If these first two games are anything to go by, neither side is in the mood to blink, and every possession will matter as the Finals intensity keeps ratcheting up.
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s younger core is growing up fast—and after this bounce-back win, the Oklahoma City Thunder have the Finals series right where they want it: all square, with momentum in their favor and hungry for more.