Thunder Collapse Against Pacers Despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Near 40-Point Explosion: What Happened?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made a thunderous statement in his NBA Finals debut, scoring 38 points in a heartbreaker loss as the Oklahoma City Thunder fell 111-110 to the Indiana Pacers in Game 1. The 26-year-old All-NBA guard was electric, shooting 14-of-30 from the field, 3-of-6 from deep, and 7-of-8 from the free throw line while also tallying five rebounds, three assists, and three steals.

Despite his best efforts, the Thunder could not withstand a late-game surge from the Pacers, who clawed their way back in a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback to steal home-court advantage in the series.

A Statement Finals Debut for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Making his NBA Finals debut, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looked unfazed by the bright lights and pressure. The Thunder star carried his team offensively for long stretches, scoring with his signature combination of craft, patience, and silky mid-range jumpers.

“He’s just so poised,” Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said postgame. “You could tell he wanted this moment. He embraced it.”

Gilgeous-Alexander set the tone early with a 12-point first quarter and remained aggressive throughout. His 38 points mark the third consecutive playoff game where he has scored 34 or more, continuing a dominant postseason run that has solidified him as one of the league’s elite playoff performers.

Thunder Collapse in the Fourth Quarter

While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the star of the night, the story of Game 1 was the Thunder’s inability to close. Leading by eight points with just over five minutes left in the fourth quarter, Oklahoma City looked in control—until Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers flipped the switch.

Indiana outscored OKC 13-4 in the final stretch, capitalizing on turnovers and missed opportunities by the Thunder. Despite SGA’s best efforts, the game slipped away in the final seconds after a clutch layup from Haliburton gave Indiana the lead, and Chet Holmgren’s buzzer-beater attempt rimmed out.

“We had our chances. We let it go,” Gilgeous-Alexander admitted in a somber postgame interview.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s Playoff Numbers Keep Climbing

Through the postseason, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has consistently been the offensive engine for the Thunder. With his 38-point performance in Game 1, he’s now averaging:

• 31.9 points per game

• 6.2 rebounds

• 6.0 assists

• 2.1 steals

• 50.8 FG%, 39.5 3PT%, 89.7 FT%

These numbers put him in rare air, drawing comparisons to elite postseason scorers like Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, and Stephen Curry in their Finals debut campaigns.

The Thunder’s Supporting Cast Needs to Step Up

While SGA delivered, the same can’t be said for some of his supporting cast. Jalen Williams was held to just 14 points on 6-of-16 shooting, and Josh Giddey managed only 7 points with 4 assists. The lack of offensive contribution from the backcourt in critical moments proved costly.

Chet Holmgren, playing in his first Finals appearance as a rookie, finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks. His defensive presence was critical, but offensively he struggled to create space against Indiana’s physical frontcourt.

“We’ll learn from this and bounce back,” Holmgren said postgame. “It’s a series for a reason.”

Tyrese Haliburton Steals the Spotlight Late

While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the best player for most of the night, Tyrese Haliburton owned the clutch moments. The Pacers guard scored 12 of his 28 points in the final five minutes, including the go-ahead layup that sealed the win.

Haliburton also dished out 9 assists and recorded 3 steals, proving why he’s been the catalyst for Indiana’s surprise Finals run. For a team many didn’t expect to be here, the Pacers are playing with house money—and confidence.

What This Loss Means for the Thunder

The Game 1 loss is a gut punch for Oklahoma City, who had a golden opportunity to assert dominance at home. Losing home-court advantage could be crucial in a series that appears evenly matched.

But the good news for the Thunder? They have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who looks ready to put the team on his back if necessary.

“It’s one game. We’ll adjust, come back stronger,” SGA said. “The job’s not done.”

Game 2 Becomes a Must-Win for Oklahoma City

With Game 2 set to tip off in OKC on Sunday, the pressure is squarely on the Thunder to even the series before heading to Indiana. Dropping two games at home could spell disaster, especially with the Pacers playing loose and confident basketball.

Expect Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to continue carrying the scoring load—but he’ll need more help from his teammates if the Thunder are to avoid an 0-2 hole.

The Rise of SGA: A Superstar is Cemented

If there were any lingering doubts about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s superstar status, they should now be erased. In just his first NBA Finals appearance, SGA proved he can perform on the biggest stage with style, skill, and relentless confidence.

His ability to control tempo, score from all three levels, and lock in defensively makes him arguably the most complete guard in the league right now. And at just 26, the best may still be yet to come.

What Fans Are Saying About SGA’s Finals Debut

Social media exploded with praise for SGA’s near-40-point night, with fans, analysts, and former players applauding his poise and performance:

• “SGA has arrived. This man is different.”

• “Shai is putting on a masterclass. Smoothest game in the league right now.”

• “SGA is HIM. Period.”

The outpouring of respect from the NBA community confirms what Thunder fans already knew—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a bonafide superstar.

Can SGA Lead the Thunder to the Title?

If the Thunder are to win the 2025 NBA Championship, it will be because of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He’s the team’s heartbeat, its engine, and its closer. But to win it all, he’ll need consistent support and better decision-making in crunch time.

The series is far from over—but Game 1 showed that SGA is ready. Now, it’s up to the rest of the team to rise with him.