Thunder Make NBA History with Back-to-Back Double-OT Wins

The Oklahoma City Thunder began the 2025-26 NBA season with an extraordinary achievement. On Thursday, they defeated the Indiana Pacers 141-135 in double overtime, marking the first time in NBA history that a team won back-to-back games in double overtime to start a season. This historic win followed a similar 2-1 double-OT victory over the Houston Rockets in their season opener on Tuesday.

The matchup carried added significance, as Oklahoma City and Indiana had faced off in the 2025 NBA Finals just months earlier. The Thunder had claimed their first outright title in Oklahoma City history by defeating the Pacers in Game 7 last June. Thursday’s game offered a rematch filled with intensity, physical play, and high stakes, reflecting the championship rivalry between the two teams.

Reigning league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander starred once again, scoring a career-high 55 points, including 23 from free throws. His performance marked the first 50-point game of the NBA season and tied him with Russell Westbrook for the most 50-point games in franchise history. Gilgeous-Alexander carried the team through both overtimes, demonstrating leadership and clutch performance under pressure.

The contest was a physical battle, with 70 personal fouls and 51 free-throw attempts. The Thunder led by seven at halftime, but the Pacers fought back in the second half, led by Bennedict Mathurin. The fourth quarter saw several lead changes, culminating in a game-tying jumper by Pascal Siakam with 6.5 seconds left, forcing overtime.

The first overtime remained close and intense, with neither team able to secure a decisive lead. In the second overtime, Oklahoma City pulled ahead, largely due to Gilgeous-Alexander’s accurate free-throw shooting. A controversial moment occurred with less than 30 seconds left when Obi Toppin’s potential game-changing steal was nullified because Thunder coach Mark Daigneault had called a timeout, frustrating Indiana fans.

Ultimately, the game belonged to Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder. His remarkable scoring, combined with team resilience, allowed Oklahoma City to achieve a 2-0 start to the season in unprecedented fashion. The back-to-back double-overtime victories demonstrate the team’s determination, skill, and ability to perform under pressure as they aim for another successful season.