Jaylin Williams Returns as Shorthanded Thunder Fall to Pacers Despite SGA’s 47 Points

OKLAHOMA CITY (Azat TV) – The Oklahoma City Thunder, despite the return of center Jaylin Williams from a back injury and a monumental 47-point effort from star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, suffered an unexpected 117-114 upset loss to the shorthanded Indiana Pacers on Friday night, underscoring the reigning NBA champions’ struggle with extensive injuries this season. The defeat marks the Thunder’s third home loss of the season, pushing their record to 37-9.

Jaylin Williams, who had been sidelined with a back issue, was cleared to play after successfully completing shootaround without any reported issues. His return, though a positive sign for the Thunder’s depth, could not stem the tide against a Pacers squad that, despite its own injury woes and ‘bottom-feeder’ status, played with remarkable championship-caliber pride in this NBA Finals rematch.

Shorthanded Thunder’s Uphill Battle

The Thunder, already grappling with a season-long rash of injuries, found themselves severely depleted. Key players such as Jalen Williams (right hamstring), Isaiah Hartenstein (right calf), Alex Caruso (right adductor), Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain), Aaron Wiggins (right groin), Thomas Sorber (right ACL), and Nikola Topic (surgery recovery) were all out of commission. This extensive list meant that roughly half of the roster was unavailable, forcing head coach Mark Daigneault to deploy unconventional lineups, including one in the second quarter featuring Jaylin Williams alongside Cason Wallace, Brooks Barnhizer, Ousmane Dieng, and Kenrich Williams.

From the outset, the Pacers seized control, establishing a 39-28 lead after the first quarter and extending it to 49-32 midway through the second. Despite a 14-2 run that brought the Thunder back to a manageable 58-53 deficit by halftime, they never managed to reclaim the lead in the second half. The game became a frustrating cycle of the Thunder making a run, only for the Pacers to respond with timely buckets.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s Heroics Go Unrewarded

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered an ‘unbelievable’ and ‘near-flawless’ performance, as described by teammate Kenrich Williams, pouring in 47 points on 17-of-28 shooting, including a perfect 12-of-12 from the free-throw line, along with four assists and four rebounds. His offensive brilliance, particularly his 29 points in the second half and 15 in the fourth quarter, kept the Thunder within striking distance. He repeatedly navigated through the Pacers’ defense, getting to his spots and drawing fouls, yet his monumental individual effort was ultimately spoiled.

Chet Holmgren also showcased his two-way prowess, contributing 25 points on 8-of-14 shooting, 13 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks. Holmgren’s efficiency as a scorer, including self-creation skills and a methodical step-back three-pointer, combined with his formidable defense, further solidified his Defensive Player of the Year candidacy. Together, Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren combined for an astounding 72 points, but the lack of consistent support from the rest of the roster proved to be the team’s undoing, despite Jaylin Williams’ presence on the court, notably setting a screen for Isaiah Joe on the game’s final play.

Pacers Secure Upset Victory

The Indiana Pacers, playing without their star Tyrese Haliburton (right Achilles) and other key players like Obi Toppin, Bennedict Mathurin, and Quenton Jackson, executed a resilient game plan. They were led by Andrew Nembhard’s unreal 27 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds, and a career-high 26 points from Jarace Walker, who relentlessly attacked the basket. Pascal Siakam also added 21 points and six rebounds.

A critical factor in the Pacers’ victory was their superior three-point shooting, converting 16-of-38 attempts (42.1%) compared to the Thunder’s anemic 7-of-26 (26.9%). Nembhard, Walker, and Aaron Nesmith all made multiple triples, countering every Thunder run. In the final seconds, with the Thunder trailing by three, Isaiah Joe’s contested three-point attempt to force overtime clanged off the rim, sealing the Pacers’ upset victory.

The Thunder’s unexpected loss to a struggling Pacers team, even with Jaylin Williams back in the lineup, starkly highlights the precarious balance of relying heavily on star power when faced with a significant number of injuries. While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren delivered MVP-caliber performances, the depth challenges created by multiple absences proved too great, signaling a critical need for the supporting cast to elevate their play and for key reinforcements to return to maintain their championship aspirations.