Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Shines in Thunder’s Double-Overtime Triumph
If you missed last night’s NBA action, let me bring you into the thrilling world of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder. In a game that felt like a finals rematch with the Indiana Pacers, SGA put on a performance for the ages, scoring a career-high 55 points and leading his team to a 141-135 double-overtime victory. This wasn’t just any win—it was the Thunder’s second consecutive double-OT game to start the season, a first in NBA history.
The Canadian superstar didn’t just score. He added eight rebounds and five assists, proving that his game extends well beyond putting the ball in the hoop. And if you thought that was impressive, consider that he netted nine points in the second overtime alone, surpassing his previous career best of 54 points. His coach, Mark Daigneault, praised not only SGA’s scoring but also his discipline with the ball—he had only five turnovers across 92 minutes so far this season, which is remarkable.
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For the Pacers, the night was bittersweet. They were already missing star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who is out for the year with a torn Achilles. Things got tougher when Andrew Nembhard suffered a shoulder injury in the second quarter. Still, Bennedict Mathurin stepped up, scoring 36 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, keeping Indiana competitive well into the second overtime. Unfortunately for them, Mathurin fouled out just 49 seconds into the second OT, and the depth of the Pacers was simply not enough to contain SGA and his teammates.
The game also carried a poignant moment as the Pacers honored Nancy Leonard, a pivotal figure in the franchise’s history, who passed away in September. Her legacy as the first female front-office executive in the NBA and her decades of dedication to the team were celebrated with a video tribute before tipoff, reminding everyone that basketball is about more than just stats—it’s about community and history.
SGA’s performance is already sparking MVP chatter. He has now scored 50 or more points five times in his Thunder career, tying Russell Westbrook for the most in franchise history. Watching him dissect defenses, draw fouls, and create opportunities for teammates, it’s clear why he was last season’s MVP. As the Thunder surge to 2-0 to start the season, the basketball world is left wondering how high Gilgeous-Alexander can fly this year.
The season has barely begun, yet Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has already reminded everyone why he is one of the league’s brightest stars—and why the Thunder could be a team to watch all the way to the playoffs.
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