Thunder's other stars take control of Game 2 early

Holmgren scored the last seven points of the first quarter, giving the Thunder a six-point lead after 12 minutes that they'd never relinquish. After putting up only six points in all of Game 1, Holmgren beat that total in the first quarter alone, with nine points, two rebounds and a block.

His fellow third-year rising star, forward Jalen Williams, entered for Holmgren to start the second quarter and immediately made his own impact. Williams scored or assisted on the Thunder's first nine points of the second quarter, adding two rebounds in the first four minutes.

The Thunder tandem shot 8-for-28 and scored 23 points in Game 1. In Game 2, it was 34 points on 11-for-25 shooting. Playing alongside a ball-dominant superstar like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, it can be hard for young talents like Holmgren and Williams to pick their spots. In Game 2, the opportunities emerged in what's often a dead spot — late in the first quarter and early in the second. After Williams hit two free throws and Holmgren dunked and assisted on a three-pointer while laying on his back, the Thunder led by 15 and never looked back.

The tertiary Thunder players also got into the act. Center Isaiah Hartenstein, moved to the bench during the Finals, turned himself into a passer in Game 2. Along with his eight rebounds, Hartenstein had four assists, including an alley-oop to Holmgren.

SGA is nearly always going to deliver. Sunday was his 12th game with 30 or more points in 18 games this postseason. What the Thunder need to win their first title is another player to step up. When multiple players do so, the Pacers are in trouble.