Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Talks 55-Point Explosion, Thunder Win
The defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder have been pushed to double overtime in each of their first two games of the 2025-26 season. The Thunder have emerged from both battles victorious, most recently with a 141-135 win over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday in a rematch of last season’s NBA Finals.
Both teams were without key players, most notably the Pacers, who, already missing Tyrese Haliburton, also lost Andrew Nembhard during the game to a shoulder injury.
OKC was playing without Jalen Williams, but reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took on an extra load offensively, pouring in a career-high 55 points against Indiana on the road.
After game, SGA discussed the potential benefits of starting the season with two lengthy, tiresome games, and he also praised one of his teammates who is experiencing a breakthrough moment for the Thunder.
“I’m tired, but it’s expected,” Gilgeous-Alexander said, per ESPN’s Jamal Collier. “It’s a good way to break the ice on the season, shake the rust off, kind of bust the lungs up, get my cardio back.”
The Thunder were aided by a surprise scoring outburst from second-year guard Ajay Mitchell, who dropped 26 off the bench.
“Different guys stepping up,” Gilgeous-Alexander said, referring to Mitchell’s contributions per Collier). “A lot of guys were stepping up tonight. Like, to play that much last game, obviously we’re a little banged up. This team never makes excuses. It’s always ready for their moment.”
Mitchell also excelled in OKC’s first game, scoring 16 off the bench in a double-overtime victory over the Houston Rockets.
Next up for the Thunder is a road game against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, October 25.