Oklahoma City Thunder evened the NBA Finals series with a commanding 123-107 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 on Sunday night. Alex Caruso played a key role off the bench, scoring 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including four three-pointers.
Caruso emphasized Indiana’s consistent and physical style, saying, “They’re hellbent on playing the way that they want to play for 48 minutes.” He pointed out the challenge for Oklahoma City: “Can we withstand their pace and pressure on offense and defense and sustain it for a full 48 minutes?”
The turning point came midway through the second quarter when the Thunder unleashed a 19-2 run, stretching their lead to 23 points. Caruso’s three-pointer helped ignite the crowd and regain momentum after Indiana briefly closed the gap.
Discussing the lineup used in the second quarter, Caruso noted, “We’ve played that lineup a lot through the playoffs. It lets Wiggins get loose a little bit too.” This combination provided balance and versatility, which proved crucial in maintaining control.
Caruso also credited teammate Luguentz Dort for his defense on Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton, explaining, “Lu matched up with most of his minutes… maybe only made one shot tonight. He knows the role he needs to play.” He added that Indiana’s offense is “very unselfish” with several players capable of scoring, making defensive discipline vital.
On his own minutes, which were fewer this season than in past years, Caruso reflected, “It’s a double-edged sword… I just only have one gear. I don’t know how to play at 75%.” He admitted it was tough sitting on the bench but acknowledged the strength of Oklahoma City’s deep rotation.
Caruso stressed the difficulty of reaching the Finals, saying, “Getting here isn’t guaranteed… Nobody gets a free pass. You have to earn it every time.” Despite the team’s success, he said, “I don’t feel like we’ve accomplished anything until we win four games.”
The Thunder showcased their improved offensive chemistry with 25 assists, led by Caruso’s observation: “Tonight was a better representation of how we play… we had good rhythm with shots going in and the ability to play inside-out.”
Oklahoma City’s next challenge awaits in Game 3 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday, marking Indiana’s first Finals home game in 25 years.
