Pacers 117-114 Thunder: A Thrilling Rematch
In a thrilling NBA showdown on January 23, 2026, the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder battled it out in a highly anticipated rematch of last season's NBA Finals. The Pacers emerged victorious, 117-114, despite a late rally by the Thunder, who were missing several key players due to injuries.
Andrew Nembhard led the Pacers with 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Jarace Walker set a new career-high with 26 points, including four crucial free throws in the final seconds. Pascal Siakam contributed 21 points, and the team snapped a three-game losing streak with this hard-fought win.
On the other side, the Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, scored an impressive 47 points, making 17 of 28 field goals and all 12 free throws. However, the Thunder's injury woes, including the absence of Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Alex Caruso, proved to be a challenge.
The game was a tale of two halves. The Pacers took an early lead, with Nembhard scoring eight points in the first and second quarters, including a crucial 3-pointer that gave them a 47-30 advantage. But the Thunder fought back with a 23-11 run, thanks to three-pointers by Cason Wallace, narrowing the gap to 58-53 at halftime.
The Thunder's comeback attempt fell short in the final moments. With the score tied at 115-114, Gilgeous-Alexander's free throws with 7.8 seconds left brought the Thunder within reach. However, Isaiah Joe's missed 3-pointer with three seconds remaining sealed the Pacers' victory.
This game marked the second and final meeting between the two teams this season. The Pacers' fortunes have taken a turn for the better since the injury to star player Tyrese Haliburton, while the Thunder, despite their early-season dominance, have faced challenges with their injury-plagued roster.
Looking ahead, the Pacers will face the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, while the Thunder will host the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. The NBA continues to provide thrilling matchups, and this game was no exception, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.
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