OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got some much-needed assistance from his teammates in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, and the Oklahoma City Thunder evened the series against the Indiana Pacers with a 123-107 victory on Sunday night.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 38 points in Game 1, but his supporting cast couldn’t get it going, and Tyrese Haliburton’s jumper in the final second gave the Pacers a 111-110 win.
Gilgeous-Alexander had 34 points and eight assists in Game 2 — typical production from the league’s MVP and scoring champion.
Co-stars Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren played more like their usual selves on Sunday and ensured the Pacers had no chance to use their last-second magic. Veteran reserve Alex Caruso had another strong performance and Aaron Wiggins provided a surprise boost in Oklahoma City’s first Finals win since 2012.
Wiggins, who barely played in Game 1 and scored three points, had 18 in Game 2 and made five 3-pointers. He said the inconsistent minutes are not ideal, but his goal is to help the team.
Williams, an All-Star who scored 17 points on 6-for-19 shooting in the opener, followed that with 19 points. He didn’t shoot all that well — he made just 5 of 14 field goals, but he made 8 of 9 free throws and put pressure on Indiana’s defense.
Holmgren, who scored just six points in the opener, bounced back with 15 points and six rebounds on 6-for-11 shooting. Caruso, the veteran guard who the Thunder picked up in an offseason trade, scored 20 points and was 4 for 8 on 3-pointers.
The Pacers expect Gilgeous-Alexander to score, but they also know they need to do better against Oklahoma City’s other players in Game 3 in Indianapolis.