Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tied his career high with 45 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers 120-114 on Thursday night. The Thunder, now 24-5, secured their ninth consecutive victory to maintain their dominance in the Western Conference.
Gilgeous-Alexander delivered an efficient performance, hitting 15 of 22 shots, including four three-pointers, and converting all 11 of his free throws. He also contributed seven rebounds and eight assists, proving instrumental in a tightly contested matchup that featured 11 lead changes.
Andrew Nembhard paced the Pacers with 23 points, while Pascal Siakam added 22 points and 10 rebounds. However, an off-night from Tyrese Haliburton, who scored just four points, hindered Indiana’s chances.
Oklahoma City trailed 107-103 late in the fourth quarter before going on an 8-0 run to take a 111-107 lead with 1:39 remaining. Gilgeous-Alexander then drilled a 26-foot three-pointer to push the Thunder’s advantage to 114-109, sealing the victory.
Jalen Williams contributed 20 points for Oklahoma City, while Isaiah Hartenstein recorded a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds. The Thunder’s bench also provided a spark, with Kenrich Williams adding nine points and six rebounds.
Despite the loss, the Pacers showcased resilience, with Bennedict Mathurin scoring 18 points and Myles Turner grabbing 11 rebounds. Indiana outshot the Thunder from the field, hitting 47.2% of their attempts compared to Oklahoma City’s 46.3%. However, the Pacers’ 11 turnovers, eight more than the Thunder, proved costly.
Oklahoma City played without defensive standout Alex Caruso, sidelined due to a left hip strain. The Thunder also missed rookie Chet Holmgren, who remains out with an injury.
The win solidifies the Thunder’s status as a top contender in the West, while the Pacers drop to 15-16, falling to ninth in the Eastern Conference standings.
