RealGM

The Thunder entered Sunday with an NBA-best 16-2 record following losses this season, including a 4-0 mark in the Playoffs.

In those four wins, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 33.5 ppg.

With OKC staring down a 2-0 hole at home — something no team has ever overcome in Finals history — the Kia NBA MVP answered again.

Thunder 123, Pacers 107: In another all-around clinic, SGA dropped 34 points on 11-of-21 shooting (52.4%), along with eight dimes, four steals and one block, igniting an emphatic OKC win in Game 2 to even the series 1-1.

In a game that history said OKC couldn’t afford to lose, its star remained steady. Never rattled. Never rushed. And now he's reaching heights never seen before.

Standing Alone: With 34 on Sunday and 38 in Game 1, SGA has totaled 72 points through his first two career Finals games – the most in NBA history

Elite Efficiency: The only other player to hit 70? Allen Iverson, who did it in 70 shots compared to Shai’s 51

All-Around Excellence: SGA’s just the fourth player ever to total 30+ points and 3+ steals in back-to-back games in the same Finals

His Company? LeBron James in 2016, Dwyane Wade in 2006 and Rick Barry in 1975 – all of whom won Finals MVP en route to a title



SGA Elevation: From winning the scoring crown and Kia MVP to leading OKC to a franchise-record 68 wins and its first Finals trip in 13 years, Sunday was just the latest stage for Shai’s unshakeable brilliance to steer the Thunder forward.

Only 12: With his Game 2 performance, SGA became just the 12th player in NBA history to reach 3,000 points in a single season (reg+post)

Only Eight: It also marked his 13th 30-piece this postseason, a feat only achieved by eight previous players

Only Greatness: But only three players have recorded 11 games of 30+ points and 5+ assists in a single Playoff run: LeBron James (3x), Michael Jordan (2x) – and now – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Statlanta wrote:All OKC needs is one of them Gainsbridge games and then the pressure is on Indiana, right now no one is under pressure.

Jailblazers7 wrote:That OKC defense will travel well but the question will be if their offense can remain consistent. If we get something like game 1 - disorganized and bad shooting - then Indy has a chance for sure.

boomershadow wrote:

Jailblazers7 wrote:That OKC defense will travel well but the question will be if their offense can remain consistent. If we get something like game 1 - disorganized and bad shooting - then Indy has a chance for sure.

OKC defense by the numbers actually doesn't travel that well.

Jailblazers7 wrote:

boomershadow wrote:

Jailblazers7 wrote:That OKC defense will travel well but the question will be if their offense can remain consistent. If we get something like game 1 - disorganized and bad shooting - then Indy has a chance for sure.

OKC defense by the numbers actually doesn't travel that well.

Home/Away defense rating looks a little strange for them but I wonder how much of that is driven by the one game 40 point blow out in Minnesota. We’re talking about a 7 game sample size after all.

xxSnEaKyPxx wrote:Pacers really haven’t played well yet.

OKC is so good.

Pacers really need to show more to have a chance in this series. They are turning the ball over like Monta Ellis is still on the team.

Chuck Everett wrote:

Jailblazers7 wrote:

boomershadow wrote:
OKC defense by the numbers actually doesn't travel that well.

Home/Away defense rating looks a little strange for them but I wonder how much of that is driven by the one game 40 point blow out in Minnesota. We’re talking about a 7 game sample size after all.

If you're going to remove the 40 point loss at Minnesota, you have to remove the 50 point win over Memphis in Game 1 of the first round. Otherwise, you're just manipulating statistics.