BBNBA: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder cruise in Game 2 to even NBA Finals

Tyrese Haliburton was all out of magic tricks on Sunday night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder dominated the Pacers from the opening tip in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, putting the game out of reach for even the most Houdini-like playoff performer. Oklahoma City’s convincing 123-107 win evened the series 1-1.

SGA had 34 points, eight assists, five rebounds, and four steals in OKC’s victory. The former Kentucky guard has scored a combined 72 points in the first two games of the NBA Finals, the most of any player in their first career Finals games. He also surpassed 3,000 points this season (regular season and playoffs), becoming only the 12th player in NBA history to achieve that feat.

The superlatives keep coming.

Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 30 points in nine of his last 10 playoff games, and he is now alongside only Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players to ever score at least 30 points in nine consecutive home playoff games. He also joined LeBron James and Michael Jordan for the most games in history with at least 30 points and five assists in a postseason (11).

We are truly witnessing greatness.

Kentucky’s other former guard in the game might not light up the box score like Shai, but Cason Wallace has been a defensive menace all year and earned a starting role for his efforts. Wallace finished with four points, three rebounds, an assist, two steals, and a block in 23 minutes of action.

The series now shifts to Indianapolis for an all-important Game 3 on Wednesday.