Andrew Nembhard delivered 27 points and 11 rebounds and Jarace Walker poured in a career-high 26 as the Indiana Pacers held off a furious late push from the Oklahoma City Thunder to earn a 117–114 win Friday night in a Finals rematch from last season.
Walker, whose previous career high was 21 points, sealed the victory by knocking down four free throws in the final 10 seconds. Pascal Siakam added 21 points for Indiana, which snapped a three-game losing streak despite being short-handed and improved to 11–35.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander carried Oklahoma City with 47 points, continuing his MVP-level play in a game where the Thunder were also hit hard by injuries. Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso were all sidelined, while Chet Holmgren chipped in 25 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks.
The Pacers appeared in control late, leading 113–103 with 2:35 remaining, but the Thunder stormed back behind Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored nine points in the final two minutes. His pair of free throws with 7.8 seconds left cut the deficit to 115–114, but Walker calmly answered at the line. Isaiah Joe’s potential game-tying 3-pointer missed with three seconds remaining.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished 17 of 28 from the field and a perfect 12 of 12 at the free-throw line for Oklahoma City, which owns the NBA’s best record at 37–9 but has cooled after a blistering 24–1 start.
The game marked the second and final meeting this season between the teams, whose paths diverged dramatically after Indiana lost Tyrese Haliburton to a torn Achilles early in Game 7 of last year’s NBA Finals. Oklahoma City went on to win its first championship, while Indiana has struggled through an injury-filled campaign.
Nembhard set the tone early, scoring eight points in each of the first two quarters and burying a 3-pointer that pushed Indiana’s lead to 47–30. Oklahoma City responded with a 23–11 run, fueled by a pair of Cason Wallace 3s, to close within 58–53 at halftime.
Indiana also played without Bennedict Mathurin (thumb), Obi Toppin (ankle) and Quenton Jackson (ankle), making the win one of its most impressive of the season.
Up next:
The Pacers visit the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. The Thunder return home to host the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.
