55 Points, Two OTs, and a Season-Defining Night: Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Sparks NBA's Start

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 55-Point Masterclass

Canadian guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a standout performance, guiding the Oklahoma City Thunder to a dramatic 141-135 victory over the Indiana Pacers in double overtime, pouring in 55 points—the most of his career—as the season kicked off with an explosive night.

The start to the season has been wild for the Thunder, who needed two overtimes in their first two games, marking a breakneck opening that has fans buzzing and analysts recalibrating expectations.

Gilgeous-Alexander, who earned MVP honors last season, eclipsed his previous personal best of 54 with a 55-point night, adding 8 rebounds and 5 assists on 15-for-31 shooting.

In crunch time, he drew an abundance of free throws, converting 23 of 26 attempts, showing poise and precision when the pressure dial is turned up to 11.

With 90 points across his first two games, he joined a rare club behind legends such as Michael Jordan (91 in 1986), Anthony Davis (95 in 2016), and Wilt Chamberlain (105 and 106 in the early 1960s) for an electric start to a season.

After the game, Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized the team’s balance and confidence: enjoying every moment on the floor and understanding that early-season momentum can fuel a longer ascent.

Beyond the superstar, the Thunder leaned on bench production, as Ajay Mitchell poured in 26 points, Aaron Wiggins added 23, and Chet Holmgren contributed 15 points with 12 boards, filling gaps left by an injury to Jalen Williams.

Mitchell highlighted the moment, praising his teammate’s awareness of when to erupt and when to tempo the game, a trait that makes the difference in close finishes and clutch moments.

Head coach Mark Daigneault lauded the collective grit, calling the win a brave display of character as both teams battled fatigue after two extra periods.

On the Pacers’ side, the night was clouded by injuries and roster changes: Tyrese Haliburton appeared to suffer an Achilles issue likely to keep him out for an extended stretch, while Miles Turner was moving to the Bucks, and Andrew Nembhard left the game with a shoulder problem, testing Indiana’s depth.

Meanwhile, Benedict Mathurin led Indiana with 36 points and Pascal Siakam added 32 with 15 rebounds, forcing two overtime periods to stay in the contest before the Thunder finally prevailed.

Warriors edge Nuggets in OT as Curry shines

In the nightcap, the Golden State Warriors surged past the Denver Nuggets 137-131 in overtime, with Stephen Curry erupting for 42 points, backed by six rebounds and seven assists, proving he remains one of the league’s most lethal finishers at 37 years old.

Denver’s offense was highlighted by a monstrous 50-point night from Aaron Gordon, reportedly the highest of his career, while Nikola Jokic finished with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, though he misfired in the late stretch and the Nuggets fell short in the extra period.

Jamal Murray added 25, and Jonathan Kuminga chipped in 14 as Golden State extended its early-season momentum and sent a message that their title ambitions remain intact for a deep playoff run.

The Nuggets, for their part, looked sharp in stretches, but the extra frame underscored the league’s high tempo and the thin margins separating victory from defeat in a new season that promises fireworks all month long.

The day’s two games were also shadowed by off-court news, with investigations into illegal betting casting a pall over the league, reminding fans that while the court light is bright, some headlines dim the glow off it.

As the NBA enters its 2025/26 chapter, this double-header sets a blistering pace: star power, deep rosters, and a calendar that refuses to slow down. If this night is any guide, we’re in for a rollercoaster ride of drama, drama, and more drama — with a basketball in the middle of it all.

Punchline time: 1) If scoring were a sport, this tonight would be the Olympics—everyone’s breaking records and nobody’s doing the dishes. 2) They say the season starts slow; apparently, someone forgot to tell these courts, because the fireworks started with a bang and showed no signs of cooling down.