INDIANAPOLIS – For the second straight game, the OKC Thunder went into double overtime.
And for the second straight game, it found a way to emerge victorious. OKC outlasted Indiana for a 141-135 win in a thriller that marked a rematch of last season’s NBA Finals series.
“Just a gutsy win,” Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said. “Those guys were exhausted. So was Indiana. … These guys are just so competitive, so I was just so impressed with the guts of the team.”
Here are three takeaways from the game:
Pre-order new book on Thunder’s run to NBA title
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander capitalizes on close officiating during career night
The boos grew louder, and so did the “free throw merchant” chants. But Shai Gilgeous-Alexander seemed unbothered by it all.
The only sound that mattered was the referee’s whistle, which Gilgeous-Alexander heard plenty of in the early moments of Thursday’s contest.
After getting Aaron Nesmith on his hip during a drive to the rim, the reigning regular-season and Finals MVP leaned in to initiate contact before elevating for an 11-foot floater. It banked in as the high-pitch screech of a whistle pierced Gainbridge Fieldhouse. That marked the fourth foul drawn by Gilgeous-Alexander in the first five minutes of the game.
And it didn’t stop there, as the crafty scoring champ got the best of every would-be defender throughout the night. Those who were too physical were forced into fouling, and those who were starving for a block were fed a pump fake to bite on.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 55 points to go along with eight rebounds and five assists. He went 23 for 26 from the free-throw line, capitalizing on a game that was officiated closely.
OKC (51) and Indiana (40) combined for 91 total free throws. There was a total of 70 fouls called in 58 minutes of game time, which is an average of one foul per 49.7 seconds.
“I was just aggressive, downhill,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “This (Indiana) team pressures a lot. They’re notorious for that, and I was getting fouled. They were fouling me. I was just taking advantage of it.”
OKC’s 3-point shooting remains an area for improvement
Mark Daigneault surely had a good idea what he’d get when he called Chris Youngblood’s number to start the second quarter.
The undrafted rookie is always dialed in from deep. It’s how he shot 46.5% from distance during Summer League with a hand that was hotter than Las Vegas itself, and it’s how he continued to torch the net during preseason play en route to earning OKC’s final two-way contract.
The Thunder needed that shooting after it went 0 for 8 from deep during the first quarter. And sure enough, Youngblood ended that drought at the 9:31 mark by splashing a 3-pointer.
OKC managed to go 10 for 27 from behind the arc (37%) after its 0-and-8 start. Still, the Thunder only finished 10 for 35 (28.6%) in that department.
Three-point shooting was also a struggle during OKC’s season-opening home win against Houston on Tuesday. It went 13 for 52 (25%).
Ajay Mitchell continues to contribute in a big way
After recording 16 points and two assists against Houston on Tuesday, Ajay Mitchell shined once again.
The 23-year-old sophomore scored a career-high 26 points to go along with four assists and three rebounds. He even played all but about four minutes throughout the fourth quarter and both overtimes to help OKC close out the game.
Mitchell continues to impress as a high-IQ guard who can create for himself and others. And while he isn’t a former lottery pick or a one-and-done prospect with otherworldly potential, his ability to contribute right away to a title contender is a superpower in itself.
“The play is not surprising to us,” Daigneault said of Mitchell. “All of his teammates, everybody has a lot of trust in him and his talent. I think his steadiness in these two environments – The first night was the opener with the ring ceremony. That place was alive the other night. That was kind of a tough game to play in mentally. And then tonight was our first road game in a great environment.
“Sometimes it takes guys a little bit. They seem a little wide eyed, but that was not the case for him.”
Tip insBennedict Mathurin led Indiana with 36 points and 11 rebounds before he fouled out during the second overtime. Pascal Siakam added 32 points and 15 rebounds.OKC was without Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace, who both played against Houston on Tuesday. Caruso is in concussion protocol, while Wallace is dealing with a left knee sprain.Indiana’s Andrew Nembhard did not play in the second half due to a left shoulder injury.
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
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