OKC Thunder’s Game 2 win shows why Pacers should fear Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after he breaks Allen Iverson’s Finals record

The Oklahoma City Thunder bounced back in a thunderous way on Sunday night, taking down the Indiana Pacers 123-107 in Game 2 of the NBA Finals at the Paycom Center. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once again led the charge, scoring 34 points and making history along the way.

After a narrow one-point loss in Game 1, OKC left no doubts in Game 2, tying the series at one apiece and reminding the basketball world that they're never out of it.

Now, with the series shifting to Indianapolis for Game 3, the Pacers have every reason to worry about the rising playoff legend in Gilgeous-Alexander.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s record-breaking rise should concern the Indiana Pacers

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander now holds the all-time record for most points scored through the first two career NBA Finals games — 72 — surpassing Allen Iverson’s 71 from 2001.

As Toronto Raptors beat reporter Josh Lewenberg pointed out, “Until tonight, the great Allen Iverson held the record for most points scored in a player's first two NBA Finals games with 71 points back in 2001... but he needed 70 shots to do it. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander through his first two Finals games: 72 points.

.. on 51 shots.”

It was just the tip of the iceberg of records held tonight by Gilgeous-Alexander, his first bucket of the night gave him 3,000 total points this season, combining regular season and playoff stats.

Later in the game, he passed Jalen Brunson to become the leading scorer in these playoffs. Add to that his nine straight home playoff games with at least 30 points, tying Wilt Chamberlain’s record, and it’s clear the Pacers are facing a player in a game mode on ready to take down anyone with the ball.OKC came out focused, using a 19-2 second-quarter run to build a massive 23-point lead. Even as Indiana tried to respond, the Thunder held firm.

Unlike the tight Game 1, there was no late rally. The Thunder were never seriously threatened, and the noise inside Paycom Center reflected that confidence, hitting over 100 decibels throughout the night.

“We used the opportunity to get better,” Gilgeous-Alexander said on ABC after the win. “We've done a really good job of that all year.” He also added, “We did some things good tonight, we did some things bad. We've gotta be able to get better and get ready for Game 3.”The Thunder got huge contributions off the bench as well. Alex Caruso scored 20 and Aaron Wiggins added 18, helping OKC dominate bench points 48-34. Jalen Williams had a solid outing too, with 19 points, five boards, and five assists. Chet Holmgren added 15 and made his presence felt in the paint.Indiana, meanwhile, struggled to get any one player going. Tyrese Haliburton finished with 17 points, but only three came in the first half. Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam added 16 and 15, but the Pacers became the first team since the 2013 Miami Heat to go two Finals games without a 20-point scorer.Also Read: Indiana Pacers vs Oklahoma City Thunder (06/08): Box score, player stats, game summary and moreGame 3 is set for Wednesday in Indianapolis, which will mark the city’s first Finals game in 25 years. But if Gilgeous-Alexander continues at this pace, the Pacers might have to rewrite the defensive schemes.