Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Drops 47, But Thunder Fall Short Against Pacers
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is making MVP-level performances look routine-and that might be the most impressive part of his season so far. On Friday night in Oklahoma City, the Thunder star once again put the league on notice, dropping 47 points in a game that had all the makings of another Thunder win-until the Indiana Pacers flipped the script.
Let’s break it down.
Another Night, Another Masterclass from SGA
SGA went to work early and didn’t let up. In 35 minutes on the floor, he shot 17-for-28 from the field, knocked down 12-of-12 free throws, and added a three-pointer for good measure. The final line: 47 points, four rebounds, four assists, one steal, one block, and a +4 in the box score.
That’s the kind of stat line that usually leads to a win. But not this time.
Despite Gilgeous-Alexander’s offensive explosion, the Thunder came up just short, falling 117-114 to a Pacers team that, on paper, looked outmatched. But Indiana didn’t play like a team struggling to find its rhythm. Instead, they showed up with balance and purpose, getting 20+ points each from Jarace Walker, Andrew Nembhard, and Pascal Siakam to pull off the upset.
Chet Holmgren Steps Up
While SGA was the headliner, Chet Holmgren deserves his flowers, too. The rookie big man continues to show why he’s such a vital piece of OKC’s future-and present.
Holmgren put together a strong performance with 25 points on 8-of-15 shooting, adding 13 rebounds for the double-double. His presence in the paint and ability to stretch the floor gave the Thunder a much-needed secondary scoring option.
Still, it wasn’t enough to overcome Indiana’s well-rounded attack.
Thunder Still Sitting Pretty in the West
Even with the loss, the Thunder remain in control of the Western Conference. At 37-8, they’ve built a cushion at the top of the standings, and Friday’s loss-while frustrating-doesn’t change the fact that this team has been one of the most consistent forces in the league this season.
And a big reason for that is Gilgeous-Alexander.
Through 43 games, he’s averaging 32.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per contest. He’s shooting a blistering 55% from the field and 39% from deep on nearly five three-point attempts per game. That level of efficiency, combined with his ability to control the pace and take over games, is why he’s currently the frontrunner in the MVP race.
The League Is Watching
Social media lit up after the game, with fans and analysts alike continuing to marvel at SGA’s rise. Whether it’s being called the “best in the world” or fans wondering what more he has to do to lock up MVP, there’s no denying the spotlight is firmly on him-and he’s thriving in it.
Yes, the Thunder lost. But if there’s one takeaway from this game, it’s this: Gilgeous-Alexander is on a different level right now. And if he keeps playing like this, the MVP trophy might just be his to lose.