OKLAHOMA CITY — 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. After Tyrese Haliburton’s clutch shot stole Game 1, the Thunder, powered by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 34 points, tied the series 1-1 with a performance that showcased their depth and defensive prowess.
The Thunder’s offense was surgical, shooting 48.1% from the field and 37.1% (13-of-35) from three-point range, per ESPN.com. Gilgeous-Alexander led with 34 points, 8 assists, and 4 steals on 11-of-21 shooting. Alex Caruso added 20 points, hitting 4-of-8 threes, while Jalen Williams contributed 19 points and 5 assists. Aaron Wiggins sparked the bench with 18 points, including five triples. The Pacers struggled at 43.8% shooting and 35% (14-of-40) from deep. Haliburton scored 17 points, Pascal Siakam 15, and Myles Turner 16, but their combined minus-20 underscored Indy’s woes. OKC dominated rebounds 46-39, per Basketball-Reference.com.
Indiana cut their Game 1 turnovers from 25 to 12, but OKC’s defense, ranked No. 1 in forcing 17.7 turnovers per 100 possessions this postseason, was relentless. The Thunder’s bench outscored Indy’s 52-34, with Caruso and Wiggins proving unstoppable. A crowd of 18,203 fueled the electric atmosphere, and the game clocked in at 2 hours, 34 minutes, reflecting OKC’s fast-paced style.
This win signals OKC’s intent to control the series with their top-ranked defense and transition game, which outscores opponents by 8.1 points per game. The Pacers, now heading to Indianapolis, must regroup for Game 3 on Wednesday, June 11, at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Game 2 proved the Thunder are no fluke. Their blend of speed, defense, and bench firepower overwhelmed a Pacers squad that looked flat after their Game 1 heroics. OKC’s ability to exploit turnovers and dominate in transition exposed Indy’s vulnerabilities, setting the stage for a brutal series. Indianapolis will be a pressure cooker for Game 3, and the Pacers need Haliburton to rediscover his magic. Meanwhile, OKC’s confidence is sky-high, and their fans are dreaming of a title. This series is a dogfight, and the Thunder just bared their teeth.
