Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went for 55 points in OKC's 2nd straight 2OT win

by: Zack Geoghegan7 hours agoZGeogheganKSR

Oct 23, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander must really want that second Most Valuable Player trophy.

The league’s reigning MVP has been on a tear two games into his 2025-26 season with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. After dropping 35 points in the opener on Tuesday, a double-overtime win over Reed Sheppard and the Houston Rockets, Gilgeous-Alexander did himself one better on Thursday night in an NBA Finals rematch.

SGA popped off for a double nickel — 55 points — in a 141-135 double-overtime road win against the Indiana Pacers. While this isn’t the same Pacers squad from last season (Tyrese Haliburton is sidelined with a torn Achilles, while Myles Turner was traded to the Bucks) that stole the hearts of NBA fans, the energy in Gainbridge Fieldhouse sure felt like last spring’s seven-game championship series.

Unfortunately for Pacers fans, they left the building with an all too familiar feeling. Gilgeous-Alexander was just too much to slow down. To reach his 55 points, he shot 15-31 from the field and 23-26 from the free throw line in 45 minutes. The former Kentucky guard also chipped in eight rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block for good measure. It marked the fifth 50-point game of his career, tying him with Russell Westbrook for the most in Thunder history.

Neither team led this game by more than seven points. There were 19 ties and 18 lead changes. 70 total fouls were called between the two teams, with Indiana losing multiple players to foul problems throughout the game, including Bennedict Mathurin, who led the Pacers with 36 points. OKC was far from healthy, too — Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace were all in street clothes. Wallace suited up for the opener earlier this week and played well, but was held out on Thursday due to a minor knee injury.

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And it won’t shock you to learn that OKC is the first team in NBA history to open a season with back-to-back double overtime games. SGA’s 90 points through two games rank fifth most in league history behind only Wilt Chamberlain (twice), Anthony Davis, and Michael Jordan. We are watching a master at work…

Murray, Nuggets fall to Warriors in OT

Our second and final game of Thursday night didn’t quite get to a second overtime, but we still needed extra basketball to decide it. Despite a career-high 50 points from Aaron Gordon, the Denver Nuggets couldn’t get across the finish line, losing to the Golden State Warriors 137-131 in overtime. Jamal Murray was steady and productive in his 40 minutes, totaling 25 points, 10 assists, three rebounds, and three steals on 11-20 shooting. Nikola Jokic even chipped in a triple-double: 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists.

But Steph Curry was better. The Hall of Famer poured in 42 points, seven assists, and six rebounds while shooting 6-12 from deep. His game-tying three-pointer right before the end of regulation kept his team alive for another round. The Warriors rattled off a 12-2 run to start overtime and never looked back.

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