Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander knows it’ll take more than just him to defeat the Indiana Pacers.
“No one-man show achieves what I’m trying to achieve with this game,” Gilgeous-Alexander said following the Thunder’s 123-107 Game 2 victory, per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “All the stats and the numbers, they’re fun. I don’t play in space as much as I do without having them out there. I don’t get open as much as I do without having the screeners out there. Whether it’s a slide-out or a set, those guys are the reason why we’re as good of a team as we are. I just add to it.
“The way I see it, I had no choice. They are ready for the moment, as I knew they would be, and they performed.”
Gilgeous-Alexander dished out eight assists to seven different teammates in Sunday’s win.
Aaron Wiggins hit five treys for 18 points in 21 minutes off the bench. He was one of five players on the Thunder to score in double digits, joining Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Alex Caruso.
“It just shows his willingness to create for other guys,” Wiggins said of Gilgeous-Alexander. “Obviously, everyone sees the points and how easy it may be for him to go out there and get 30, 40 points. When he’s out there sharing the ball, getting other guys involved, that’s when our team is at our best.”
Williams admires Gilgeous-Alexander’s belief in his teammates and thinks that’s what powers them on.
“Obviously, he’s the MVP of the league,” said Williams, who tallied 19 points and five assists. “For him to continue to get better is good. He just trusts us to make plays. I think when your best player is out there and he trusts you to make a play, it just gives you more confidence. He understands that. I think that’s one of the roles he’s gotten really good at and grown at, and it just makes our team better.”
Gilgeous-Alexander posted a game-high 34 points Sunday. It was his 11th game this postseason with at least 30 points and five assists. That total matches the most by a player during a single postseason, according to ESPN Research.
The MVP scored 38 points in the Game 1 loss to the Pacers. His 72 points in the series are the most by a player in his first two Finals games, surpassing the previous record set by Hall of Famer Allen Iverson.
“You can mark down 34 points before they even get on the plane tomorrow for the next game,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said.
Game 3 will take place in Indiana on Wednesday with the series tied at 1-1.
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