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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander SGA turns it over eight times in Game 6 loss
Thu, Jun 19, 2025, 5:39 PM
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 21 points (7-of-15 FGs, 7-of-8 FTs), four rebounds, two assists and eight turnovers in a 108-91 loss to the Pacers in Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Thursday.
Analysis: This certainly wasn't the performance OKC was hoping to get out of the MVP with a chance to close out the series. Sure, he led the team in scoring, but the eight turnovers were abysmal. Turnovers haven't been an issue for the Thunder this year; they averaged the fewest turnovers per game in the league during the regular season and have won the turnover matchup for most of this series. They'll certainly need to clean things up to defend their homecourt and win a championship in Game 7 on Sunday. |
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Jalen Williams Jalen Williams held to 16 points in Game 6 loss
Thu, Jun 19, 2025, 5:35 PM
Jalen Williams contributed 16 points (6-of-13 FGs), three rebounds and one assist in Game 6 against the Pacers on Thursday.
Analysis: After a 40-point masterclass in Game 5, Williams cooled off in Game 6. It was a disappointing night after two consecutive strong performances. He also posted a team-worst minus-40 plus/minus, which isn't solely on his shoulders, but it was indicative of how the game went during his 27 minutes. The 24-year-old will have to be better in Game 7 on Sunday. |
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Alex Caruso Alex Caruso starts second half vs. Pacers Thursday
Thu, Jun 19, 2025, 5:32 PM
Alex Caruso started the second half on Thursday and finished with three rebounds, two assists and one block in 22 minutes against the Pacers.
Analysis: Caruso has had some big games in this series, but Thursday was not one of them. He was held scoreless and didn't contribute much else in the box score. Of course, his defense is always valuable, but it wasn't enough to slow down Indiana. What was noteworthy was that Caruso started the second half in place of Isaiah Hartenstein. The Thunder were down 22 points at halftime, so this could've been Mark Daigneault trying to create a spark. Caruso will likely return to a reserve role on Sunday for Game 7, but the situation is worth monitoring. |
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Aaron Wiggins Aaron Wiggins hits four three-pointers in Game 5
Mon, Jun 16, 2025, 5:39 PM
Aaron Wiggins accounted for 14 points (4-of-10 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), five rebounds, one block and four three-pointers in Monday's Game 5 win over the Pacers.
Analysis: While Alex Caruso has garnered the most attention among the Thunder reserves in the NBA Finals, Wiggins has stepped up with two quality performances. Monday night, he hit double figures for the first time since Game 2, when he scored 18 points in a win. Wiggins and Cason Wallace (11/2/0/4/1 with three three-pointers) combined for 25 points in Game 5, helping to counter the excellent showing by Pacers backup guard T.J. McConnell. Wiggins' inconsistency makes him a challenging player to trust fully, but he's shown the ability to have an impact on multiple occasions this postseason. |
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Gilgeous-Alexander drops 31/2/10/2/4 line Monday
Mon, Jun 16, 2025, 5:34 PM
Keerthika Uthayakumar
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished Monday's Game 5 win over the Pacers with 31 points (9-of-21 FGs, 13-of-14 FTs), two rebounds, 10 assists, two steals and four blocked shots.
Analysis: While the field goal percentage may not have been great, Gilgeous-Alexander was highly impactful in Monday's victory. The four blocked shots were one shy of his playoff career-high, and he also hit double digits in assists for the first time since Game 4 of the conference finals. Gilgeous-Alexander recorded his 15th 30-point game of these playoffs, the most in a single postseason since Kobe Bryant had 15 in 2009. While the Pacers have done all they can to limit Gilgeous-Alexander, and they've had some success, the NBA's Most Valuable Player still feels inevitable. He and the Thunder will look to win their first NBA title on Thursday night. |
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Jalen Williams Jalen Williams shines in Game 5 win, scores 40
Mon, Jun 16, 2025, 5:27 PM
Jared Weiss
Jalen Williams tallied 40 points (14-of-25 FGs, 9-of-12 FTs), six rebounds, four assists, one steal and three three-pointers in Monday's Game 5 win over the Pacers.
Analysis: JDub put on a show Monday night in what was the most productive outing of his brief postseason career. Shooting 56 percent from the field, Williams notched a career-high point total, carrying over his productive play from Games 3 and 4. While Oklahoma City did drop Game 3, the shift to making sure Williams is on the opposite side of the court as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has significantly impacted Indiana's defense. Having to account for SGA's drives has left the Pacers in challenging positions regarding how they defend JDub, who's been able to get downhill far more consistently than he did in the first two games. He and the Thunder will look to close out the series on Thursday. |
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Alex Caruso Alex Caruso records 20 points, five steals Friday
Fri, Jun 13, 2025, 5:56 PM
Alex Caruso finished Friday's Game 4 win over the Pacers with 20 points (7-of-9 FGs, 5-of-7 FTs), three rebounds, five steals, one block and one three-pointer.
Analysis: While he may not be one of the marquee names in these NBA Finals, it's fair to wonder where the Thunder would be without Caruso. He's scored 20 points in both of Oklahoma City's victories, and Friday's offensive effort was supplemented by five steals and a blocked shot on the other end of the floor. While Isaiah Hartenstein (two points, six rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes) returned to the starting lineup with Cason Wallace (two points, three rebounds and two assists in 19 minutes) being bumped to the bench, Caruso was still the preferred option as Oklahoma City mounted its fourth-quarter rally. Caruso played 32 and 30 minutes in Games 3 and 4, and the Thunder may need him to continue shouldering that caliber of workload to win this series. |
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Jalen Williams Williams records 27/7/3 line in Game 4 victory
Fri, Jun 13, 2025, 5:47 PM
Jalen Williams tallied 27 points (8-of-18 FGs, 11-of-11 FTs), seven rebounds and three assists in Friday's Game 4 win over the Pacers.
Analysis: After two modest performances in the first two games of the NBA Finals, Williams upped his production in Indianapolis. In the two games, he totaled 53 points, shooting 17-of-36 from the field and 18-of-22 from the foul line. Friday night, Williams did most of his damage in the restricted area and at the charity stripe. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge in crunch time, but J-Dub's ability to get to the foul line kept Oklahoma City within striking distance. That said, his perimeter shooting must improve, as Williams has shot 3-of-14 from deep in the first four games. Game 5 is on Monday, with the series tied at two games apiece. |
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Chet Holmgren Holmgren (ankle) grabs 15 rebounds in Game 4
Fri, Jun 13, 2025, 5:40 PM
Chet Holmgren (ankle) amassed 14 points (4-of-9 FGs, 6-of-6 FTs), 15 rebounds, one assist, one steal and one blocked shot in Friday's Game 4 win over the Pacers.
Analysis: While Holmgren has been relatively quiet offensively in the NBA Finals, his rebounding has improved by the game. After grabbing six rebounds in Games 1 and 2, the slender forward hit double digits in both games in Indianapolis. The 15 rebounds in Game 4 were one shy of his playoff career-high, and Holmgren has accounted for at least 10 in nine games this postseason. The lone concern for Chet coming out of Game 4 was him rolling his left ankle on two separate occasions, in the first and fourth quarters. However, he did not have to exit the game following either injury, and Game 5 is not until Monday night. |
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Gilgeous-Alexander scores 35 in Game 4 victory
Fri, Jun 13, 2025, 5:34 PM
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shot 12-of-24 from the field and 10-of-10 from the foul line in Friday's Game 4 win over the Pacers, scoring 35 points with three rebounds, three steals, one block and one three-pointer.
Analysis: With his team staring at a 3-1 deficit, the NBA's Most Valuable Player stepped up when the Thunder needed him most. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 points in the final 4:36 of Game 4, including a step-back jumper with 2:23 remaining that gave Oklahoma City the lead for good. He was perfect from the foul line and shot 50 percent from the field to lead the Thunder to a win that returned home-court advantage to the Western Conference champions. However, SGA did not record an assist, the first time he's done so in these playoffs. Oklahoma City tried to play him off the ball more, but that approach tended to slow the team down more than they hoped. That changed in crunch time, and Gilgeous-Alexander did what he's expected to do. Game 5 is on Monday night. |
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Isaiah Hartenstein OKC starting SGA, Dort, Williams, Chet, iHart
Fri, Jun 13, 2025, 2:06 PM
Tony East
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein will start Friday's Game 4 against the Pacers.
Analysis: After starting Cason Wallace in the first three games of the NBA Finals, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault has gone back to his usual first five. Hartenstein returns to the lineup, with Wallace heading to the bench. Hartenstein can be a capable facilitator in the short roll, and his floater in those spots is close to automatic. After playing 33 minutes in Game 1, Wallace logged 24 and 23 minutes in Games 2 and 3. |
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Chet Holmgren Chet Holmgren has 20/10/2 line in Game 3 loss
Wed, Jun 11, 2025, 5:28 PM
Chet Holmgren had 20 points (6-of-15 FGs), 10 rebounds, two assists and one steal against the Pacers in Game 3 on Wednesday.
Analysis: While Holmgren's box score shows a solid effort with 20 points and 10 rebounds, the 23-year-old power forward certainly struggled against a physical Pacers frontline. This was encapsulated in one of the final Thunder possessions. With two minutes left and down six points, Holmgren passed up an opportunity to drive after getting the ball on a pick and roll. Later in the possession, he appeared open for a three-pointer, but was blocked by Myles Turner. After corralling the miss, Holmgren drove the lane but was denied again by Turner, with help defense from Pascal Siakam, and the possession went to the Pacers. Holmgren will need to bounce back if the Thunder are going to get back into this series with a win in Game 4 on Friday. |
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has six turnovers in loss
Wed, Jun 11, 2025, 5:26 PM
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 24 points (9-of-20 FGs), eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks and one three-pointer against the Pacers in Game 3 on Wednesday.
Analysis: To say that Gilgeous-Alexander struggled in Game 3 would be an understatement. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle joked earlier this week that the 26-year-old point guard would have 34 points as soon as he got off the bus. Instead, Gilgeous-Alexander finished Game 3 with 24 and a playoff career-high six turnovers against the Pacers' swarming defense. A better offensive effort from SGA is paramount for the Thunder in Game 4 on Friday. |
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Alex Caruso Alex Caruso hits four triples, scores 20 points
Sun, Jun 8, 2025, 5:10 PM
Alex Caruso shot 6-of-11 from the field and 4-of-4 from the foul line in Sunday's Game 2 win over the Pacers, accounting for 20 points, three rebounds, one assist and four three-pointers.
Analysis: Caruso has been Oklahoma City's most productive reserve in the NBA Finals, which makes some sense due to him being the lone player on the roster with a championship ring. After recording 11 points and a complete stat line in Game 1, Caruso was more lethal as a scorer in Game 2. A double-digit score in three of his last four appearances, the 20 points are the most Caruso has tallied in a game since Game 1 of the Thunder's second-round series against Denver. Given the matchup, he should continue to hit the high-20s in minutes, which raises Caruso's ceiling on both ends of the floor. Game 3 is on Wednesday in Indianapolis. |
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Aaron Wiggins Aaron Wiggins contributes 18 points, five triples
Sun, Jun 8, 2025, 5:04 PM
Aaron Wiggins finished Sunday's Game 2 win over the Pacers with 18 points (6-of-11 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), four rebounds, one assist, one steal and five three-pointers.
Analysis: After only scoring 28 points in Game 1, Oklahoma City's reserves were more impactful in Game 2, finishing with 48. Wiggins helped lead the way, as the 18 points were the most he's scored in a game since the Thunder's Game 1 win over the Grizzlies in the first round. Expecting production of this caliber from Wiggins consistently would be a bit much. Still, he'll need to be a factor, especially if Oklahoma City continues to start Cason Wallace (4/3/1/2/1 in 24 minutes). Sunday's rout was a reminder of what Wiggins is capable of offensively. |
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Jalen Williams Jalen Williams drops 19/5/5/1 line in Game 2 win
Sun, Jun 8, 2025, 5:00 PM
Jalen Williams tallied 19 points (5-of-14 FGs, 8-of-9 FTs), five rebounds, five assists, one steal and one three-pointer in Sunday's Game 2 win over the Pacers.
Analysis: After shooting 6-of-19 from the field in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Williams was better in Sunday's victory. While the percentage still has room for growth, J-Dub attempted nine free throws after getting just four on Thursday. Add in the rebounds and assists, and Williams managed to bring more to the table following his disappointing Finals debut. Oklahoma City outscored Indiana by a 33-21 margin in the second quarter, and Williams was a factor, shooting 3-of-6 from the field and scoring nine points. That's the level of offensive aggression the Thunder will need J-Dub to bring to the table consistently if they're to win the series. Game 3 is on Wednesday in Indianapolis. |
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Chet Holmgren Chet Holmgren bounces back, scores 15 in Game 2
Sun, Jun 8, 2025, 4:55 PM
Chet Holmgrem accumulated 15 points (6-of-11 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), six rebounds, one assist, one block and one three-pointer in Sunday's Game 2 win over the Pacers.
Analysis: While Holmgren's point total wasn't much to write home about in Game 2, it represented a marked improvement over what he brought to the table in Game 1. Having scored six points in the opening game of the NBA Finals, Holmgren exceeded that number in the first quarter of Game 2 by putting up nine points. He was held in check for the rest of the night, but other Thunder players stepped up to help Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shoulder the offensive workload. If the Holmgren who showed up to begin Game 2 is the norm, Oklahoma City's chances of winning the franchise's first NBA title increase substantially. |
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Gilgeous-Alexander drops 34 points in Game 2 win
Sun, Jun 8, 2025, 4:52 PM
NBA History
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander recorded 34 points (11-of-21 FGs, 11-of-12 FTs), five rebounds, eight assists, four steals, one block and one three-pointer in Sunday's Game 2 win over the Pacers.
Analysis: While Gilgeous-Alexander did score 38 points in Oklahoma City's Game 1 defeat, he shot below 50 percent from the field. The NBA's Most Valuable Player was more forceful in Game 2, and the approach led to SGA attempting 12 free throws while also shooting over 50 percent from the field. Gilgeous-Alexander made some history during the victory, becoming the 12th player in league history to score at least 3,000 points in a season ??" that counts the regular season and playoffs. Putting up high point totals should not be an issue in this series, even with the Pacers' ability to use multiple defenders on SGA. The key will be how he gets those points, and how often the Thunder point guard can get to the foul line. Game 3 is on Wednesday in Indianapolis. |
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Jalen Williams Jalen Williams has poor shooting night in Game 1
Thu, Jun 5, 2025, 5:39 PM
Jalen Williams struggled on Thursday and finished with 17 points (6-of-19 FGs), four rebounds, six assists, one steal and one three-pointer in Game 1 against the Pacers.
Analysis: A lot of things went right for the Thunder in this game. They won the turnover matchup by a lot. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a big night. Luguentz Dort and Alex Caruso were productive on both ends of the floor. However, one thing that sticks out is that Williams and Chet Holmgren (six points, six rebounds and one block in 24 minutes) didn't step up as SGA's co-stars. OKC has played well when Williams has it going and has struggled when he isn't playing well. He'll need to be better in Game 2 on Sunday to avoid going down 0-2. |
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Luguentz Dort Luguentz Dort hits five threes, adds six âstocks'
Thu, Jun 5, 2025, 5:35 PM
Luguentz Dort made an impact on both ends of the floor with 15 points (5-of-10 FGs), four rebounds, one assist, four steals, two blocks and five three-pointers in Game 1 against the Pacers on Thursday.
Analysis: Dort is one of the best defensive players in the league, and he made his presence felt in Game 1 of this series. He collected six defensive stats and knocked down a team-high five triples to provide Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with some help on the offensive end. Dort's offensive output will likely be inconsistent moving forward, but he's capable of knocking down shots when he needs to. However, he'll continue to dominate on the defensive end every night. |
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