The Oklahoma City Thunder came out with purpose and precision in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, overwhelming the Indiana Pacers with a 123-107 win on Sunday, June 8. After a lackluster Game 1 showing, OKC roared back, controlling the tempo from tip to final buzzer.
Indiana, famous this postseason for pulling off dramatic comebacks of 15+ points, never got close. The Thunder’s balanced scoring — five players putting up 15 or more — and defensive intensity left the Pacers scrambling for answers.
MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once again showed his brilliance, delivering 34 points and 8 assists with surgical efficiency on just 21 shots. In contrast, Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton struggled early, notching just five points through three quarters before a late burst brought his total to 17.
Winners: Who Stepped Up in Game 2
1. Thunder’s Bench Duo: Alex Caruso and Aaron Wiggins
Backup guards Alex Caruso and Aaron Wiggins were electric.
Caruso wasn’t just locking down defenders — he poured in 20 points, hitting four 3-pointers and slicing through gaps for easy buckets.
Wiggins added 18 points on 5-of-8 shooting from deep, playing only 20 minutes. Together, they contributed to nearly 65% of OKC’s 14 three-pointers. Their explosive performances underlined just how deep and dangerous the Thunder rotation truly is.
2. Chet Holmgren’s Early Impact
After a quiet Game 1, Chet Holmgren roared back to life. The rookie big man struck early, scoring nine of his 15 points in the first quarter. He brought energy, rim protection, and finishing around the basket, setting the tone for OKC’s frontcourt.
3. Strategic Shift: The Thunder Go Big
Coach Mark Daigneault rolled out a double-big lineup with Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein — and the shift worked wonders. OKC dominated the paint 26-12 in the first half, using size and physicality to disrupt Indiana’s drives.
“It takes discipline,” Daigneault explained postgame, “but we try to use early games to learn what our options and trade-offs are.” The experiment paid off, giving OKC a major edge.
Losers: Who Came Up Short in Game 2
1. Tyrese Haliburton’s Slow Start
Haliburton’s late-game scoring wasn’t enough to offset another slow beginning. Through three quarters, he managed just five points. Though he scored nine in the early fourth, his delayed ignition cost Indiana dearly.
While Coach Carlisle brushed it off — calling Indiana an “ecosystem” — Haliburton is the centerpiece. His early-game silence allowed OKC to dictate the flow.
2. Indiana Can’t Match OKC’s Physicality
Coach Rick Carlisle didn’t sugarcoat things when asked how Indiana handled OKC’s physical defense: “Not well.”
The Thunder closed driving lanes, clogged the paint, and brought constant pressure, especially when playing both Holmgren and Hartenstein. Indiana’s offense thrives off paint attacks, but without penetration, their spacing collapsed — and so did their rhythm.
In the regular season, OKC led the NBA in opponent paint points. That strength showed again in Game 2.
3. Pacers Bench Comes Up Empty
Obi Toppin and Thomas Bryant — bright spots in Game 1 — were nearly invisible in Game 2, combining for just four points on 1-of-9 shooting.
While T.J. McConnell and Benedict Mathurin added a decent 25 points, the overall lack of consistency from the bench hurt Indiana. If the Pacers hope to keep pace with OKC’s deep rotation, their second unit must deliver more.
Final Thoughts: Thunder Make Their Statement
Game 2 was a reminder that the Thunder are not just a one-star team. With balanced scoring, elite bench play, and defensive adjustments, they made a loud statement heading into Game 3. Meanwhile, Indiana must regroup — and fast — if they want to regain momentum in this Finals battle.
