The Oklahoma City Thunder roared back in Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals, crushing the Indiana Pacers 123-107 on June 8 at Paycom Center to tie the series 1-1. After Tyrese Haliburton’s clutch jumper stole Game 1, the Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 34 points, answered with a clinic in depth and defense, leaving Indy scrambling.
OKC’s offense was electric, shooting 48.8% from the field and 38.9% (14-of-36) from three, per ESPN.com. Gilgeous-Alexander dazzled with 34 points, 8 assists, and 4 steals on 11-of-21 shooting, setting an NBA record for most points (72) in a player’s first two Finals games, per @NBA on X. Alex Caruso (20 points, 4-of-8 from deep) and Aaron Wiggins (18 points, 5-of-8 from three) powered a bench that outscored Indy’s 48-33. Jalen Williams added 19 points, and Chet Holmgren rebounded from a quiet Game 1 with 15 points and 6 boards. The Pacers shot 45.1% but struggled early, hitting just 38.7% through three quarters. Haliburton’s 17 points came mostly in garbage time, while Pascal Siakam (15 points) and Myles Turner (16 points) couldn’t keep pace in the NBA Finals.
Indiana’s 25 turnovers in Game 1 dropped to 15, but OKC’s defense, tops in the playoffs at forcing 17.7 turnovers per 100 possessions, kept the pressure on. The Thunder dominated rebounds 46-39, flipping Game 1’s lopsided board battle, per Basketball-Reference.com. A raucous 18,203 fans fueled OKC’s 18-point halftime lead, which Indy never threatened, despite a 33-point fourth quarter.
This win cements OKC’s status as favorites, with their elite defense and transition game (8.1 points per game better than foes) exposing Indy’s weaknesses. The Pacers head to Indianapolis for Game 3 on Wednesday, June 11, at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC), needing Haliburton to ignite earlier. As @okcthunder posted, OKC’s depth was unstoppable. The series is a dogfight, but the Thunder’s bite looks sharper.
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