The Oklahoma City Thunder Are Making History In the Most Exhausting Way Possible

After Thursday night’s grueling 141-135 double-overtime victory over the Indiana Pacers, the Thunder became the first team in NBA history to start a season with back-to-back double-overtime games. That’s not a record you train for in the offseason, folks. That’s the kind of record that happens when the basketball gods decide they want to test your cardiovascular system right out of the gate.

Think about it: most teams are trying to find their rhythm in early October. The Thunder? They’re out here playing mini-marathons while everyone else is still stretching.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Puts on a Show

If you’re going to make history, you might as well do it in style. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped a career-high 55 points against the Pacers, looking like he was playing a video game on rookie difficulty. Twenty-three of those points came from the free-throw line, where SGA was more reliable than your morning coffee.

“I’m tired, but it’s expected,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after the game, probably while someone handed him an IV drip. The reigning MVP just casually dropped 55 points like he was ordering lunch, then dared to act like it was all part of the plan.

This was SGA’s fifth 50-point game, tying Russell Westbrook’s franchise record. You know what’s wild about that? Westbrook was known for his explosive athleticism and triple-double hunting. Gilgeous-Alexander is out here being methodical, efficient, and somehow even more exhausting to watch—in the best possible way.

Thunder Bench Steps Up When It Matters

Here’s where things get interesting. The Thunder were missing Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe, and Alex Caruso. In other words, they were playing with a roster that looked like it came from a fantasy football waiver wire. But second-year Guard Ajay Mitchell decided this was his moment to shine, dropping a career-high 26 points off the bench.

Mitchell didn’t just show up; he showed out. Coach Mark Daigneault praised his steadiness, saying the young guard “didn’t really blink” in back-to-back pressure cooker environments. That’s NBA-speak for “this kid has ice in his veins and probably drinks espresso before bed.”

The Pacers Refuse To Go Away Quietly

Give Indiana credit where it’s due. They came into this rematch of last year’s Finals without their star point guard, Tyrese Haliburton, and still managed to push the defending champions to the absolute limit. Pascal Siakam put up 32 points and 15 rebounds, while Bennedict Mathurin added 36 points and 11 rebounds.

The Pacers lost Aaron Nesmith to foul trouble and Andrew Nembhard to a shoulder injury, yet they still had the Thunder sweating bullets in double overtime. That’s the kind of grit that makes you wonder if Indiana has some secret training facility where they practice playing basketball while running on treadmills.

What This Means For the Thunder’s Championship Defense

Starting your title defense with two double-overtime games isn’t exactly what you’d draw up on the whiteboard, but maybe it’s exactly what this Thunder team needed. As Gilgeous-Alexander pointed out, every game matters when you’re chasing home-court advantage in the playoffs.

The Thunder learned firsthand last season how important home court can be—their Finals victory over Indiana went seven games. Now they’re proving they’ll fight tooth and nail for every single win, even if it means playing enough minutes to qualify for overtime pay.

The Bottom Line On Oklahoma City’s Historic Start

The Thunder are 2-0, but they’ve earned those wins the hard way. They’ve played 116 minutes of basketball in two games—that’s like playing an extra regulation game just for kicks. Their legs might be screaming, but their championship mentality is louder.

This isn’t just about making history; it’s about setting the tone for what could be another special season. When you’re willing to grind out double-overtime victories in October, it says something about your character. When your MVP candidate drops 55 points and acts like it’s just another day at the office, it says something about your talent level.

The Thunder aren’t just defending their title—they’re doing it with style, substance, and apparently unlimited stamina. If this is how they’re starting the season, the rest of the league better start doing some cardio.