The Athletic NBA Daily SGA, Thunder strike back in dominant Game 2 win
Jun 9, 2025
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shone with 34 points, guiding the Thunder to a decisive Game 2 victory. The hosts dive into strategic shifts that led to OKC's success while criticizing Indiana's struggles. They also discuss the NBA's visual presentation and fan engagement strategies that enhance the finals experience. Additionally, the dynamic energy of the crowd and defensive tactics are examined, with insights on Halliburton's potential impact in upcoming games.
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Thunder's Size Dominance in Game 2
- Oklahoma City Thunder used size effectively by playing bigger with Holmgren and Hartenstein in game 2.
- Their high ball screens and paint penetration disrupted Indiana's defense consistently.
Paint Points Create Open Threes
- Paint points and paint touches created wide open threes and better offensive opportunities for OKC.
- This helped OKC shoot 38% from three and dominate Indiana, who only shot 35% from deep.
SGA and Bench Lead OKC
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) scored 34 points showing MVP-level dominance.
- The Thunder's bench, including Caruso and Wiggins, also contributed massively, combining for 38 points with perfect three-point shooting.