Indiana Pacers at Oklahoma City Thunder
· National Basketball Association
Andrew Nembhard, Jarace Walker help short-handed Pacers outlast Thunder 117-114 in Finals rematch
Walker, whose previous high was 21 points, sank four free throws in the final 10 seconds to lift injury-riddled Indiana (11-35), which snapped a three-game skid. Pascal Siakam added 21 points.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 47 points for the NBA-best Thunder, who were also depleted by injuries with Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso among those sidelined. Chet Holmgren added 25 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks.
It was the second and final meeting this season between the Pacers and Thunder, whose fortunes have diverged since Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton tore an Achilles tendon early in Game 7 of last season's NBA finals. Oklahoma City went on to win its first title and has the league's best record (37-9), although the Thunder have slowed after a 24-1 start.
Oklahoma City trailed 113-103 with 2:35 remaining but pulled within 115-114 on a pair of free throws by Gilgeous-Alexander with 7.8 seconds left. After two free throws by Walker, the Thunder's Isaiah Joe missed a 3-pointer with 3 seconds remaining.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, made 17 of 28 field goals and all 12 free throws, and he scored nine points in the final 2 minutes.
The Pacers were missing Bennedict Mathurin (thumb), Obi Toppin (ankle) and Quenton Jackson (ankle).
Nembhard scored eight points in the first quarter and eight more in the second. His 3-pointer gave Indiana a 47-30 advantage. But Oklahoma City chipped away with a 23-11 run that featured two 3s by Cason Wallace to get within 58-53 at halftime.
Thunder: Host the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.
Regular Season Series
Series tied 1-1
Recent Plays
| 4th 0.0 |  |
End of Game | 117 - 114 |
| 4th 0.0 | |
End of the 4th Quarter | 117 - 114 |
| 4th 1.1 |  |
Chet Holmgren defensive rebound | 117 - 114 |
| 4th 1.1 |  |
Pascal Siakam misses free throw 2 of 2 | 117 - 114 |
| 4th 1.1 | |
Pacers offensive team rebound | 117 - 114 |
Statistics
 IND |
 OKC |
|
|---|---|---|
| 45-96 | FG | 40-82 |
| 47 | Field Goal % | 49 |
| 16-38 | 3PT | 7-26 |
| 42 | Three Point % | 27 |
| 11-20 | FT | 27-30 |
| 55 | Free Throw % | 90 |
| 51 | Rebounds | 41 |
| 14 | Offensive Rebounds | 4 |
| 37 | Defensive Rebounds | 37 |
| 34 | Assists | 18 |
| 5 | Steals | 4 |
| 1 | Blocks | 8 |
| 10 | Turnovers | 9 |
| 1 | Team Turnovers | 0 |
| 11 | Total Turnovers | 9 |
| 0 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
| 16 | Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 8 |
| 6 | Fast Break Points | 3 |
| 48 | Points in Paint | 44 |
| 24 | Fouls | 22 |
| 17 | Largest Lead | 2 |
| 1 | Lead Change | 1 |
| 97 | Percent Led | 0 |
Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries
| NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah Hartenstein, C | Day-To-Day | Mar 3 |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G | Day-To-Day | Mar 3 |
| Branden Carlson, C | Out | Mar 2 |
| Ajay Mitchell, G | Out | Mar 2 |
| Jalen Williams, G | Out | Feb 19 |
Indiana Pacers Injuries
| NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| Ivica Zubac, C | Out | Mar 3 |
| Obi Toppin, F | Day-To-Day | Mar 3 |
| Aaron Nesmith, G | Out | Mar 3 |
| Pascal Siakam, F | Out | Mar 3 |
| Andrew Nembhard, G | Day-To-Day | Mar 3 |
Game Information
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Attendance: 18,203 · Capacity:
Detroit
Cleveland
Milwaukee
Chicago2025-26 Northwest Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Oklahoma City |
48 | 15 | .762 | - | W3 |
 Minnesota |
39 | 23 | .629 | 8.5 | W4 |
 Denver |
38 | 24 | .613 | 9.5 | W1 |
 Portland |
29 | 33 | .468 | 18.5 | L2 |
 Utah |
18 | 43 | .295 | 29 | L6 |
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