The first 50-point game of the 2025-26 NBA season belongs to reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
For the second time in as many games this season, the Oklahoma City Thunder found themselves in a double-overtime showdown. Thursday, it was in an NBA Finals rematch with the Indiana Pacers, and Gilgeous-Alexander did what he is now known to do best.
More than just the first 50-point game of the season, Gilgeous-Alexander set a new career-high with 55 points in a 141-135 double-overtime win over the Pacers, reminding the world that he is inevitable, and that OKC will be a team that always finds a way to win.
Here is more on the reigning MVP’s career-best performance in Indiana.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stats today
Per usual, Gilgous-Alexander did his work early and often. He went into the half with 21 points (on 5-of-8 shooting), three rebounds and two assists.
In the second half, which included two overtime periods, Gilgeous-Alexander added 34 points on 10-of-23 shooting, bringing his total to a career-best 55 points on 15-of-31 shooting from the field.
Of course, it was much more than the 55 points:
- Points: 55
- Rebounds: 8
- Assists: 5
- Steals: 2
- Blocks: 1
- FG: 15-31 (48.4%)
- 3P: 2-7 (28.6%)
- FT: 23-26 (88.5%)
On a night when Jalen Williams remained sidelined due to offseason wrist surgery and Chet Holmgren failed to get going from the field, Gilgeous-Alexander reminded the NBA world why he is the MVP, and why Oklahoma City will be very difficult to eliminate in the postseason.
SGA EXPLODES FOR 55 IN THRILLING OKC 2OT WIN IN INDY 🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/bUpQvfEk5s
— NBA (@NBA) October 24, 2025
In the biggest moments and biggest spots, the Thunder were able to rely on Gilgeous-Alexander to deliver the heroics. He remained calm and cool under pressure, a mentality that is clearly adopted by the remainder of the team.
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OKC’s depth was also on full display, as second-year guard Ajay Mitchell was the second-leading scorer with 26 points, while Aaron Wiggins drained five 3s and finished with 23 points in 36 minutes of action.
Gilgeous-Alexander is making a case to be considered the best player in the game, and OKC has a strong claim as being the deepest team in the league. Couple those two factors, and you have a team that will be extremely difficult to beat four times in a seven-game series.
It’s early, but the Thunder are looking like a team primed to repeat. And this is all before Jalen Williams returns to the lineup.
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