The reigning MVP delivered another unforgettable performance on Thursday night, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a thrilling 141-135 double-overtime victory against the Indiana Pacers in a rematch of last season’s NBA Finals.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 55-point explosion set a new career mark, surpassing his previous best of 54 set earlier this year, while tying Russell Westbrook for the most 50-point games (five) in franchise history.​

Playing 45 grueling minutes, Gilgeous-Alexander’s stat line was nothing short of dominant: he shot 15-for-31 from the field and an incredible 23-for-26 from the free-throw line, adding eight rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block.

His relentless attacking style once again made him nearly unstoppable, particularly in the paint and at the foul line, where he broke yet another team record for most free throws attempted in a two-game span to open a season (40).​

Leading the Champions With Poise

The victory improved Oklahoma City to 2-0, marking back-to-back double-overtime wins to open the season — the first time in NBA history a team has done so.

Despite visibly exhausting himself late in the second overtime, Gilgeous-Alexander scored nine of his team’s final 14 points to seal the win, displaying the same composure that earned him the 2025 MVP crown. Both teams traded blows all night, with Bennedict Mathurin and Pascal Siakam combining for 68 points to keep Indiana competitive.​

The win also carried sentimental weight. The Pacers unveiled their Eastern Conference championship banner before tip-off, only for Gilgeous-Alexander to remind them why he and the Thunder lifted the Larry O’Brien Trophy months prior.​

Carving a Modern Legacy

Now in his prime, Gilgeous-Alexander continues to redefine Oklahoma City basketball. Since 2022, he’s averaged more than 30 points per game while maintaining elite efficiency and durability.

With this latest performance, he climbed into the company of franchise legends, joining Westbrook and Kevin Durant in the Thunder’s record books for historic scoring nights.​

As Oklahoma City opens its title defense with grit and history-making energy, Gilgeous-Alexander is proving that his MVP campaign was no fluke.