Thunder's Dark Horse Stomps Pacers in Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals: Gilgeous-Alexander Rocks the Arena, Hartenstein Stems the Tide
Harsh Weather Hits Pacers Severely: Thunder's Frosty Assault Intensifies Challenge
In a nail-biting Game 2 of the heated NBA Finals showdown between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers, the Thunder proved their worth as the underdogs in a thrilling 123-107 victory. With their win, they now entertain a level playing field at 1-1 in the best-of-seven series.
In a breathtaking display of skill and determination, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, sporting German center Isaiah Hartenstein's trusted support off the bench, was unstoppable, logging an astounding 34 points. Hartenstein, although scoring a modest 3 points and grabbing 8 rebounds in his 22 minutes on the court, thrived in his role, displaying the grit and tenacity that have earned him a name among the league's top big men.
"I don't get down when I don't clock as many minutes as I'd like. I know I'm still among the cream of the crop in this league," said the confident Hartenstein, who aims to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Dirk Nowitzki to become the second German professional to win an NBA championship. "My family—my old man, my mama, my sis—they're all here with me."
In a dramatic role reversal, the Thunder swarmed the Pacers' star Tyrese Haliburton, harassing him into a messy performance that included five turnovers and just 17 points. Thunder point guard Gilgeous-Alexander, who previously dominated the series opener with 38 points, dictated the pace of the game wonderfully, guiding his teammates with eight assists and snatching four steals. Alex Caruso chipped in 20 points, sinking four three-pointers from the bench.
"Life's full of ups and downs, seasons are all swings, and this series is no exception. It's about keeping a cool head, learning from your experiences, and staying loud to come out on top," declared the composed Gilgeous-Alexander after the game.
With the series now concentrating on the edge, Game 3 looms large on Thursday morning, offering the Pacers their first home-court advantage (2:30 A.M.).
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Associated: NBAPlayoffs | Basketball
[1] https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4621055/shai-gilgeous-alexander[2] https://bleacherreport.com/articles/player-stats/shaigilgeousalexander/games/2025[3] https://www.si.com/nba/thunder/news/oklahoma-city-thunder-isaiah-hartenstein-marks-strong-impact-second-career-finals-game-terrific-off-bench-performance-physical-presence-scoring-rebounding-defensive-intensity
In the intense Game 2 of the NBA Playoffs, the Oklahoma City Thunder demonstrated their basketball prowess, securing a 123-107 victory over the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was unstoppable on the court, scoring 34 points, showcasing his skills in sports and contributing to the Thunder's impressive victory. Isaac Hartenstein, despite scoring just 3 points and grabbing 8 rebounds, played a crucial role off the bench, displaying the determination that has made him one of the league's top big men in basketball.
