If you were watching the Thunder vs Pacers game on October 23, 2025, you saw a scoring explosion that felt like a video game. 141-135. No defense. Just vibes and buckets. But honestly, comparing that regular-season shootout to where these two teams are sitting right now in early 2026 is like comparing a summer league scrimmage to the actual Finals.
The context has changed. Drastically.
Seven months ago, these two were locked in a seven-game war for the NBA title. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander walked away with the Finals MVP trophy after a 103-91 clincher in Game 7. But that victory came with a massive asterisk that Pacers fans still can't stomach: Tyrese Haliburton's Achilles.
The Brutal Reality of the Thunder vs Pacers Game Dynamic
You can’t talk about this matchup without talking about the injury that broke the Eastern Conference. When Haliburton went down in the first half of Game 7 last June, it didn't just end Indiana's title hopes. It altered their entire 2025-26 trajectory.
Indiana is currently 9-31. They are at the bottom of the East.
It’s a bizarre fall from grace. Usually, a Finals runner-up is a lock for a top-four seed the following year. Not here. Without their engine, the Pacers started the season 1-13. They’ve recently clawed back some dignity with a three-game win streak—including a gritty 98-96 win over the Celtics thanks to Pascal Siakam’s heroics—but the gap between them and Oklahoma City has never looked wider.
While Indiana struggles to keep its head above water, the Thunder are doing exactly what everyone feared they’d do. They’re dominating.
SGA is Playing a Different Sport
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is basically inevitable. In their October meeting, he dropped 55 points. Just let that sink in. 55. He didn't just score; he dismantled a Pacers defense that had no answer for his rhythm. On Tuesday night against the Spurs, he followed that up with 34 points and 4 blocks.
The kid is 27 and playing with the composure of a 15-year vet.
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But it’s not just Shai. Jalen Williams has ascended to that "is he an All-Star or a superstar?" conversation. In that 141-point outburst against Indiana, the Thunder got 26 points from Ajay Mitchell too. They have so many weapons it’s almost unfair.
What Actually Happened in the Last Thunder vs Pacers Game?
If you missed the October 23 matchup, you missed a glimpse of what the Pacers could be if they just leaned into the chaos. Bennedict Mathurin went absolutely nuclear with 36 points and 11 rebounds. He looked like the guy Indiana needs him to be while Haliburton is in a walking boot.
The game went to double overtime.
Indiana fought. They took OKC to the brink. They covered the +7.5 spread. But in the end, the talent gap in the closing minutes was just too much. The Thunder ended that game like they end most games: with a clinical series of mid-range jumpers and forced turnovers.
The Siakam Factor
Pascal Siakam is the only reason Indiana isn't 0-40. He’s averaging 23.5 points and nearly 7 rebounds. Rick Carlisle is out here campaigning for him to be an All-Star, and honestly, he deserves it. It’s hard to look good on a team with 31 losses, but Siakam manages to stay efficient while being the primary target of every opposing scouting report.
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- Thunder Record: Sitting at the top of the West.
- Pacers Record: Fighting to stay out of the cellar in the East.
- Series History: OKC has won 7 of the last 12 meetings.
- MVP Watch: SGA is currently the betting favorite for a repeat.
The Mental Hurdle for Indiana
For the Pacers, playing the Thunder isn't just another game on the calendar. It’s a reminder of what they lost. Every time they see those blue and orange jerseys, they think about Game 7. They think about the "what ifs."
What if Tyrese hadn't jumped for that pass?
What if Myles Turner hadn't left in free agency?
The Thunder don't have those ghosts. They have a ring and a roster that is still getting younger and better simultaneously. It’s a terrifying reality for the rest of the league. Sam Presti’s vision has fully materialized, and we're just living in the aftermath of it.
Tactical Shifts Since October
In the early-season Thunder vs Pacers game, Indiana tried to outrun them. Bad move. Nobody outruns this OKC team. Since then, Carlisle has slowed the pace down. They’re playing more "ugly" basketball, trying to turn games into mud fights. It worked against Boston. It might be their only hope when they face the Thunder again later this month.
Key Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're tracking this rivalry, stop looking at the 2024 stats. They don't matter. The Indiana team that pushed OKC to seven games no longer exists. They are a different animal now—slower, more reliant on Siakam, and prone to scoring droughts.
Watch the "Shai Over"
If the line for SGA points is anywhere under 32, take it. He loves playing Indiana. Their lack of a true rim protector since the Turner departure makes the paint a runway for him.
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Respect the Mathurin Leap
Bennedict Mathurin is the "X-factor." If he’s hitting his threes, Indiana stays competitive. If he’s off, it’s a 20-point blowout. He is the barometer for this team's heart.
The Fatigue Factor
OKC is deep. They can play 11 guys and not lose a step. Indiana is lean. Watch for the Pacers to fall apart in the fourth quarter of these high-stakes matchups. It happened in the Finals, and it happened in October.
The next time these two meet on January 23, don't expect a repeat of the 141-point shootout. Expect a Thunder team looking to polish their seeding and a Pacers team just trying to survive the night without another injury.
For Indiana, the goal is simple: get through the season, get Tyrese healthy, and pray the lottery balls land in their favor. For the Thunder, it’s about a dynasty. They aren't just winning games; they're sending messages.
Keep an eye on the injury report leading up to the next tip-off. If Jalen Williams or Chet Holmgren take a rest day, the Pacers might actually have a path to an upset. Otherwise, it’s the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander show, and we’re all just spectators.
The rivalry is still there, but the stakes have shifted from championship gold to sheer survival.