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OKLAHOMA CITY— The Indiana Pacers faced an opponent on Sunday for Game 2 of the NBA Finals that was relentlessly focused, aggressive, and undoubtedly eager for victory. However, the greater challenge for the Pacers came not only from the Oklahoma City Thunder but also from the weight of historical precedent.
Historically, only two teams have begun the championship series by winning both Games 1 and 2 on the road. Thus, the prospect of joining the ranks of the 1992 Bulls and 1995 Rockets loomed larger than any individual player’s prowess, even that of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Pacers had managed to achieve such a feat against the Cavaliers and the Knicks previously, but this time would prove different. The Thunder responded with vigor after their Game 1 defeat, securing a decisive victory of 123-107, demonstrating control from start to finish.
This performance by the Thunder was a testament to the caliber of a team that achieved 68 wins in the regular season, lost only once to an Eastern Conference opponent, and suffered just one home loss this postseason.
As the game wrapped up, the dynamics of the Finals noticeably shifted, a familiar occurrence in postseason play.
Had the Thunder taken the series lead?
Or did the Pacers, managing to secure a split in Oklahoma City, position themselves well for the upcoming games in Indianapolis?
Here are five insights from a match that equalized the series and provided the Thunder with some breathing room:
From the opening tip-off until the conclusion, the Thunder maintained focus. There were no lapses that allowed the Pacers to capitalize. When the Thunder claim victories decisively, it primarily stems from their defensive intensity—a trend upheld throughout the season, the playoffs, and now in the Finals.
“I felt we were the aggressors for most of the game, even while leading,” remarked coach Mark Daigneault. “The players did an excellent job of staying relentless, particularly on the defensive end; we really ramped it up in that area.”
And indeed, the Pacers struggled when it mattered, particularly in the first half. They shot just 34.9% during that time, failed to dominate rebounding like they did in Game 1, and lacked additional scoring opportunities. No Pacer reached a 20-point mark.
OKC’s performance mirrored their resilience from the conference semifinals against the Nuggets, where they fought back after trailing 1-0 and 2-1. This was the response of a team determined not to let a strong season slip away.
That seven-game series contributed to this young Thunder squad’s growth. The lessons learned were crucial in their Game 2 effort.
Both Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal suggested the Pacers settled for a mere split on the road instead of asserting themselves in Game 2.
With just 3:30 left in the game and the Thunder holding a 21-point lead, all their starters remained on the court. This was unusual but understandable given the Pacers’ propensity for comebacks, often catching their opponents off guard in similar situations.
Thus, the Thunder opted for caution and strategy.
However, the Pacers never responded. Starting the fourth quarter down by 19, they faced a 20-point deficit midway through, and by the two-minute mark, they were still 18 points adrift.
This lack of response stemmed from Oklahoma City’s relentless approach. The Thunder racked up 30 points in the fourth quarter without relenting. This was the kind of decisive performance they required.
Meanwhile, the Pacers couldn’t establish a rhythm or compel Daigneault to use numerous timeouts in search of solutions.
Then, in an unexpected decision, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle opted to clear the bench with four minutes remaining. This was atypical for Carlisle, who usually keeps his star players on the floor in playoff scenarios, fighting until the end. It was a notable concession.
The sight of Shai facing off against players like Johnny Furphy, even briefly, was indeed unusual.
Carlisle understood the situation.
“Sometimes tough decisions must be made,” he explained. “That was an easy one.”
Tyrese Haliburton’s promising postseason was marred on Sunday by a tendency to underperform, displaying a more subdued effort without his usual aggressive play.
In Game 2, Haliburton seemed to drift, taking only seven shots in the first three quarters while the Pacers struggled to score and sank further into a deficit.
His challenge lies in balancing his role as a passer and scorer. On this occasion, Indiana could have used more scoring from him.
Only in the fourth quarter did he recognize the urgency, displaying a renewed vigor with six shots and scoring 12 of his total 17 points. Yet by that time, the Pacers were already in a double-digit hole, and his attempts were largely desperate and ineffective.
Haliburton recorded five turnovers as the Pacers’ offense was stifled consistently by the Thunder throughout Game 2.
As a naturally pass-first point guard, Haliburton has excelled alongside the Pacers thus far. By facilitating early on, he sets up his teammates, positioning himself to close out games. This strategy worked brilliantly in Game 1.
Three nights later, however, it backfired.
Carlisle pointed to the Pacers’ “ecosystem,” which thrives on Haliburton’s distribution and ball movement.
“People shouldn’t only focus on his points and assists to gauge his performance—that’s not how our team functions,” Carlisle stressed. “While we need to score sufficient points to win, the method of scoring and who contributes shouldn’t overshadow the goal itself.”
Given their lack of prolific scorers outside of Pascal Siakam and Haliburton, Indiana needed greater offensive output from both, especially facing such a formidable defense.
Haliburton acknowledged, “I need to improve by identifying where I can enhance my performance. As the series progresses, I’m learning where I can be more effective.”
He is often most potent when he poses a dual threat as both a shooter and passer. By playing conservatively, he allowed OKC the advantage.
In Game 1, Daigneault experimented with his bench, using rookie Ajay Mitchell, whose nerves seemed to impact his performance negatively, resulting in missed opportunities in his limited play.
This time, however, Mitchell’s role was minimized to garbage time, and more crucially, the bench became a reliable source of strength for OKC once again.
Aaron Wiggins stood out, demonstrating starter-level energy and contribution by consistently exploiting opportunities against Indiana. He scored 18 points and grabbed four rebounds, after having seen only nine minutes in Game 1.
“He was a vital asset for our success throughout the season, and his role adjusted accordingly in the playoffs,” noted Daigneault. “Tonight, he was tremendous.”
The Thunder executed a ‘total team effort’ to equalize the series leading into Game 3 in Indiana.
Additionally, Alex Caruso capitalized on Indiana’s careless approach to defense, making 4-of-8 from beyond the arc for a total of 20 points, second only to Shai, and once again proved to be a thorn defensively.
Both Caruso and Wiggins outperformed any Pacers player, a grim sign for Indiana and a clear indication of victory for OKC. Overall, the Thunder received 48 points and 22 rebounds from their bench, a robust contribution that maintained their lead.
“Caruso and Wiggins shot effectively,” commented Carlisle. “They created additional challenges for us. They executed well, made impactful plays, and exploited openings.”
The remarkable aspect of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is his ability to score no matter the opponent, game dynamics, or defensive strategy employed. Carlisle aptly stated after Gilgeous-Alexander netted 34 points in 36 minutes:
“You can expect 34 points from him before they even board the plane for the next game. The guy is going to score. We must find ways to make it difficult for him.”
He has tallied 72 points through two games, and had it not been for an unusual miss in Game 1’s final seconds, OKC might have a 2-0 advantage. Andrew Nembhard has done a commendable job defending Gilgeous-Alexander, yet the reigning Kia MVP still manages to perform at a high level.
The key difference on Sunday? He demonstrated greater efficiency, scoring 12 points in the third quarter and hitting 11 of 12 free throws. When Indiana pressured him, he adeptly assisted teammates, accumulating eight assists.
“It highlights his willingness to facilitate for others,” stated Wiggins. “While everyone witnesses how effortlessly he scores, when he engages his teammates, that elevates our team. Kudos to him for playing the game the right way.”
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for over 25 years. You can reach him via email here, browse his archives here and follow him on X.
The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of the NBA, its teams, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
