Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Erupts for Career-High 55 as Thunder Outlast Pacers in Double Overtime Thriller
In a wild night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reminded the basketball world why he’s the reigning MVP and one of the most stimulating bents in the NBA.
The Canadian megastar dropped a career-high 55 points, powering the Oklahoma City Thunder to a dramatic 141 – 135 palm over the Indiana Bellwethers in double overtime.
It’s the Thunder’s alternate straight two- overtime palm to open the season, a launch that’s as thrilling as it’s exhausting.
Gilgeous-Alexander was impregnable. Effective. grim. He knocked down 15 of 31 shots from the field and sank 23 of his 26 free throws.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 55 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST, 15/31 FG, 23/26 FTS, 64.8% TS vs Pacers https://t.co/LHUiDxETHD pic.twitter.com/eWt3DaC8GX
— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) October 24, 2025
Along the way, he also stuffed the stat distance with eight rebounds and eight assists, a near-triadic-double performance for the period.
The 26-year-old now ties Russell Westbrook’s record for the most 50-point games in Thunder history, five all. Not bad company to keep.
“It was one of those nights where everything just clicked,” Gilgeous-Alexander said post-game, visibly exhausted yet smiling. “But more than that, we just refused to give up, again.”
While all eyes were on SGA, Ajay Mitchell dropped in a career-high 26 points, helping Oklahoma City keep pace in a game that saw the lead swing like a pendulum.
Aaron Wiggins added 23 points and nine boards, while Isaiah Hartenstein dominated the glass with 14 rebounds.
The Thunder looked sharp, though fatigue from Tuesday’s double-overtime game against Houston seemed to linger at times.
Still, their countenance under pressure stood out, especially after officers awarded a late timeout that averted an expensive development when Indiana’s Obi Toppin nearly snared the ball under the Thunder’s hem.
For Indiana, Bennedict Mathurin was sensational with 36 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out during the first overtime. Pascal Siakam added 32 points and 15 rebounds in a tireless effort.
Despite missing key players, Tyrese Haliburton, T.J. McConnell, and later, Andrew Nembhard (left shoulder soreness), the Pacers never backed down. The contest stayed tight throughout, with neither side leading by more than seven points.
Seventy fouls were called in total. Yes, seventy. Even Pacers coach Rick Carlisle picked up a technical in frustration.
Before tip-off, emotions ran high as the Pacers raised their Eastern Conference championship banner, a proud moment for the home crowd.
The team also paid tribute to Nancy Leonard, the late matriarch who helped save the franchise in 1977 through a telethon effort.
Leonard passed away in September at age 93 and was remembered with heartfelt applause before the national anthem.
The Thunder will hit the road again, facing the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, while the Pacers begin a three-game road stretch starting in Memphis.
