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**OKLAHOMA CITY**— A single moment of brilliance—whether through strategy or execution—could have clarified the Oklahoma City Thunder’s significant turnaround from Game 1 to Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals.
However, in this instance, it was the accumulation of minor enhancements in various areas by the players and coaching staff that led to their 123-107 triumph over the Indiana Pacers, leveling the best-of-seven championship series at 1-1.
After all, this wasn’t OKC’s first experience on this stage. Their fortitude has been on display throughout the season, and this victory on Sunday at Paycom Center improved their record to 17-2 in games following losses.
One of the Thunder’s strengths lies in their ability to bounce back, preventing a single defeat from snowballing into multiple losses and ensuring that a losing streak doesn’t become a reality.
The collective effort that shifted the game’s momentum occurred shortly into the second quarter. What started as a contest that was moderately favorable to the Thunder transformed into a decisive lead.
A weak conclusion to the first quarter, coupled with a lackluster start to the second, left the Pacers staring at their first 10-point deficit of the day. Yet, that was just the beginning of their troubles. Indiana managed to convert two Thunder turnovers into layups, closing the gap to six points.
At that moment, Oklahoma City erupted on a 19-2 scoring spree within five minutes of the second quarter, extending their lead to 52-29. This marked the Thunder’s largest advantage of the night, too substantial for Indiana’s renowned resilience to overcome. The closest the Pacers would come from that point on was a 13-point gap.
It wasn’t merely the scoring; it was the manner in which Oklahoma City achieved and held onto their lead over the final 29 minutes of the game. The second quarter unfolded at an even pace, featuring six lead changes in less than 15 minutes. This stood in sharp contrast to the critical lead change that swung in Indiana’s favor with just 0.3 seconds remaining in Game 1.
The momentum shift was marked by contributions from multiple players, as the initial nine points came from Jalen Williams (four), Aaron Wiggins (three), and Chet Holmgren (two) within a brisk 2:30. Faced with the sudden surge, Indiana’s coach Rick Carlisle attempted to counteract by making four substitutions and quickly called a timeout at 7:08.
A layup from Aaron Nesmith following the timeout turned out to be misleading; instead of igniting a positive run for the Pacers, it only sparked a 10-0 response from OKC. This spurt featured a heavy dose of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 10 points in addition to another three-pointer from Wiggins.
Despite Carlisle’s additional three substitutions failing to stem the tide, another Indiana timeout at 4:47 saw the Pacers staring up at a daunting 52-29 scoreboard.
“Indiana has a unique style, and since we don’t face them often being in different conferences, it takes time to adjust. I felt tonight we were a bit better and more comfortable in various aspects, on both sides of the court,” said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault.
“I don’t think any lineup they used lacked effectiveness,” remarked Pacers coach Rick Carlisle when asked about OKC’s more impactful use of big men Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.
“We were the aggressors for much of the match, even while holding the lead. Our players did an excellent job maintaining pressure, particularly on defense,” Daigneault added.
“I really enjoy playing with Hart, especially when he is throwing lobs my way,” noted Chet Holmgren, referring to a dunk setup by Hartenstein.
“There are disadvantages to limited minutes or inconsistent playing time, but that’s just part of the NBA. Many others are navigating similar challenges, and some have simply earned their place,” said Aaron Wiggins, whose role has fluctuated significantly, after contributing 18 points.
With the lead solidly above 20 points for most of the fourth quarter, even Carlisle recognized the absence of potential late-game heroics from the Pacers. He opted to substitute out starting players and gave more bench players a chance to play, his thoughts—as well as those of many in the arena or at home—turning toward Game 3 on Wednesday (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC) in Indianapolis.
The Pacers will be excited to return to their home court for the next two games (despite not winning a Game 3 in their previous playoff rounds), buoyed by their passionate fan base.
However, a resurgent Thunder team will also be making the trip to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Most of Daigneault’s strategies from Sunday proved effective—utilizing a dual-big lineup, bringing Jalen Williams back as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s on-court partner, and a defense that quelled Indiana’s corner three-point attempts, alongside energizing contributions off the bench from Wiggins, Hartenstein, Alex Caruso, and others.
While Carlisle and his staff will surely make adjustments, it’s clear that Oklahoma City found a vital rhythm in Game 2’s second quarter, reminiscent of their pivotal shift in Game 4 against Denver during the Western Conference semifinals.
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Steve Aschburner has been covering the NBA since 1980. You can reach him via email, browse his archive, and follow him on X.
The opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent those of the NBA, its teams, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
