logo
How historic has Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's start been in NBA Finals? Inside the numbers

How historic has Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's start been in NBA Finals? Inside the numbers

Yahoo3 days ago

After letting a big lead slip away in the fourth quarter of Game 1, there was no such letdown in the Oklahoma City Thunder's 123-107 Game 2 victory at Paycom Center on Sunday night.
Here's a look at some numbers behind the Thunder's victory to even the series:
Advertisement
5 TAKEAWAYS: Thunder thumps Pacers in NBA Finals Game 2 as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC even up series
Thunder take advantage of turnovers
10: Fewer turnovers forced in Game 2 by the Thunder vs. Game 1, 25-15.
3: More points off turnovers in Game 2 by the Thunder vs. Game 1, 14-11. During the 19-2 run that put OKC in control in the second quarter, seven of the last nine points were scored by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander off Indiana turnovers.
CARLSON: A late Tyrese Haliburton heater doesn't doom Thunder in NBA Finals this time
More Shai Gilgeous-Alexander historical marks
72: Points for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander through two games in the NBA Finals, the most-ever for a player in his first two Finals games. Allen Iverson scored 71 in his first two Finals games in 2001.
Advertisement
12: Players in NBA history to score a combined 3,000 points in the regular season and postseason. Gilgeous-Alexander reached that mark Sunday night. Luka Doncic was the most recent to accomplish the feat, doing it in 2023-24. Only Michael Jordan (10 times) and Wilt Chamberlain (5) have done it multiple times.
RECAP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder storm past Indiana Pacers in Game 2 to tie NBA Finals
Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots a 3-pointer in the third quarter during game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center Oklahoma City, on Sunday, June 8, 2025.
Thunder goes big with Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein
5:04: Minutes played with both Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein on the floor after the duo didn't share the floor at all in Game 1. The Thunder outscored the Pacers 11-7 during the two stretches with the two bigs.
Advertisement
More: Aaron Wiggins saved basketball in Thunder's NBA Finals Game 2 win: Social media reacts
Thunder offense spreads it out
5: Thunder players with 15 or more points. Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 34, Alex Caruso added 20, Jalen Williams 19, Aaron Wiggins 18 and Holmgren 15. The Thunder is the first team since the 2019 Toronto Raptors to have five players with 15 or more points in an NBA Finals game.
38: Combined points from Caruso and Wiggins, making them the third pair of teammates to score 18 or more points each off the bench in an NBA Finals game since 1970-71.
3: Players with four or more assists. Gilgeous-Alexander had eight, Jalen Williams five and Isaiah Hartenstein four. The trio combined for more assists than the Thunder had collectively in Game 1, where it posted a season-low 13. Sunday, OKC finished with 25.
Advertisement
More: NBA Finals Game 2 box score, stats: OKC Thunder ties up series vs Indiana Pacers
Slowing Tyrese Haliburton
9: Total first-half points for Pacers' star Tyrese Haliburton in the series. Sunday he scored 17 points but 12 of those came in the fourth quarter with the Thunder well ahead.
More: Ex-Mavs coach Don Nelson earns NBA Lifetime Achievement Award, protests Luka Doncic trade
Ryan Aber covers OU athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Ryan? He can be reached at raber@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @RyAber . Sign up for the OU Sooners newsletter to access more OU coverage. Support Ryan's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com .
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Inside NBA Finals Game 2 stats for SGA, OKC Thunder vs Indiana Pacers

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

OKC Thunder trading No. 24 pick Nique Clifford to Sacramento Kings in 2025 NBA Draft
OKC Thunder trading No. 24 pick Nique Clifford to Sacramento Kings in 2025 NBA Draft

Yahoo

time3 hours ago

  • Yahoo

OKC Thunder trading No. 24 pick Nique Clifford to Sacramento Kings in 2025 NBA Draft

If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Pricing and availability are subject to change. The Oklahoma City Thunder will trade the 24th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft to the Sacramento Kings. The Thunder selected Colorado State wing Nique Clifford with the 24th pick. The Kings are sending a 2027 first-round pick to the Thunder. That pick is top-16 protected and would become two 2027 second-round picks if it doesn't convey. Advertisement The deal will be finalized later. The Thunder drafted Georgetown center Thomas Sorber 15th overall earlier Wednesday. More: OKC Thunder draft picks: Grades for Thomas Sorber selection in 2025 NBA Draft 2025 NBA Draft first-round results This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder trading No. 24 pick Nique Clifford to Kings in 2025 NBA Draft

OKC Thunder draft picks: Grades for Thomas Sorber selection, Kings trade in 2025 NBA Draft
OKC Thunder draft picks: Grades for Thomas Sorber selection, Kings trade in 2025 NBA Draft

Yahoo

time3 hours ago

  • Yahoo

OKC Thunder draft picks: Grades for Thomas Sorber selection, Kings trade in 2025 NBA Draft

If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Pricing and availability are subject to change. The Oklahoma City Thunder selected two players in the 2025 NBA Draft. OKC first selected Georgetown's Thomas Sorber with the 15th overall pick. He's a 6-foot-10 forward/center who averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and two blocks last season as a freshman. Advertisement OKC then selected Northwestern's Brooks Barnhizer with the 44th pick. He's a 6-6 guard who averaged 17.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists last season as a senior. The two rookies will now join an OKC team that just won its first NBA championship in franchise history. Here's a breakdown of OKC's draftees and initial grades for the selections. Pre-order our new book on Thunder's run to NBA title More: 2025 NBA Draft tracker: Live updates on Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey and all first-round picks First round, No. 15 overall | Thomas Sorber, F/C, Georgetown Sorber should fit right in with the Thunder. Advertisement OKC posted a league-best defensive rating of 105.7 during the regular season. It boasts plenty of elite defenders such as Lu Dort, Jalen Williams and Alex Caruso. Now, it adds another standout disrupter in Sorber. Sorber has great length, which he uses to swat shots and intercept passes. The 6-10 big man averaged two blocks and 1.5 steals last season as a freshman. Sorber is also able to finish around the rim. He can use his strength or his soft touch to score, and his high IQ allows him to make some impressive passes at his size. Sorber has room for improvement when it comes to being more switchable on the perimeter, and his range on offense is a work in progress. He also underwent season-ending foot surgery in February. Advertisement Those concerns prevent me from giving this pick an "A" for now. But Sorber has the potential to develop into a two-way contributor for OKC, which did well to land him outside of the lottery. Grade: B+ More: What to know about OKC Thunder offseason: Draft picks, contracts after winning NBA title Thomas Sorber (center) reacts after being drafted 15th overall by the Thunder the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 25. OKC trades No. 24 pick to Sacramento Kings, who select Colorado State's Nique Clifford The OKC Thunder sent the No. 24 pick to the Sacramento Kings, who selected Colorado State guard Nique Clifford. OKC is reportedly receiving a 2027 first-round pick that originally belonged to the San Antonio Spurs. It's top-16 protected, and it'll become two 2027 second-round picks if it doesn't convey. Advertisement This trade shouldn't come as a surprise. OKC entered the draft as one of the deepest teams in the NBA, and it selected Georgetown big man Thomas Sorber with the No. 15 pick. With limited roster spots, OKC opted to trade for a future pick instead of bringing in another rookie. And, considering the trajectory of a San Antonio team that recently paired De'Aaron Fox with Victor Wembanyama, it's likely to convey. OKC will also be a significantly more expensive team by 2027, so the addition of someone on a rookie deal will be good for the books. This isn't a splashy trade, but it's a necessary one. Grade: A- Second round, No. 44 overall | Brooks Barnhizer, G, Northwestern Barnhizer is going to be a fan favorite. Advertisement The 6-6 guard is a good on-ball defender, and he thrives at getting into passing lanes. He averaged 2.3 steals and 1.1 blocks through 17 games before his senior season was cut short due to a broken foot. Barnhizer is also as tough as they come. He had his two front teeth knocked out twice last season but didn't let that stop him from playing with an incredibly-strong motor. Still, there's work to be done if Barnhizer wants to stick around in the NBA. Even though he'll be able to hold his own defensively, Barnhizer will have to become a more consistent shooter. He only shot 31% from deep throughout his college career. Advertisement It's difficult enough to find minutes on an OKC team with plenty of depth. It'll only be more difficult if Barnhizer isn't able to knock down his shots. Grades: B- Justin Martinez covers sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@ 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 This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder draft picks: Grades for selections in 2025 NBA Draft

Trae Young Reacts to Tyrese Haliburton's Injury in Game 7
Trae Young Reacts to Tyrese Haliburton's Injury in Game 7

Yahoo

time7 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Trae Young Reacts to Tyrese Haliburton's Injury in Game 7

Trae Young Reacts to Tyrese Haliburton's Injury in Game 7 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. On Sunday, Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Haliburton only played in the first quarter and had to head back to the locker room. The Pacers announced that the two-time All-Star would not return to the game and finished with nine points on 75% shooting from deep. Advertisement Ahead of Game 7, the Pacers' star was part of the injury report with a right calf strain. However, he opted to play the game, similar to his approach in Game 6 at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Thursday. Unfortunately for the Pacers, the first quarter for Haliburton was the final time he played this season. Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young is defended by Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Davis-Imagn Images After he was injured, Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young was emotional on X. He posted about Haliburton's injury and how he felt about it. "🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 Never wanna see that😔" Young posted. Even other stars like Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and Donovan Mitchell felt bad for what happened with Haliburton. Advertisement "Prayers up man 🙏🏽," Brunson said. "You never want to see that, prayers up 🙏🏽," Towns posted. "These calf strains ain't no joke man!! Praying for Ty 🙏🏾🙏🏾" Mitchell said. It was an unfortunate injury for the Pacers and Haliburton, as they are one game away from winning an NBA championship. Throughout the entire 2025 NBA playoffs, Indiana was often considered the underdogs. However, they've proved the critics and the doubters wrong, often coming out on top. Young and Haliburton have played 11 games against each other throughout their careers. The Pacers' star has the advantage, with six wins over the Hawks' star. Advertisement Related: Tyrese Haliburton Injury Sparks Speculation of LeBron James' Exit From Lakers This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store