Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Applauds Aaron Wiggins for Standout Performance in Game 2…
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t hold back in his admiration for teammate Aaron Wiggins following a standout Game 2 showing in the NBA Finals.
The Thunder clinched a critical victory in Sunday’s Game 2, and postgame discussions were largely focused on the efforts of two key players: Gilgeous-Alexander and Wiggins.
While SGA—recently crowned league MVP—was expected to deliver, it was Wiggins’ unexpected spark off the bench that turned heads. After a quiet Game 1, where he logged just nine minutes and three points, Wiggins came alive in Game 2 with 18 points in just 21 minutes of play. His contributions didn’t go unnoticed by teammates or fans.
Gilgeous-Alexander had high praise for Wiggins’ consistency and mental toughness:
“I was really impressed,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “Aaron’s been the same guy for us all season and throughout the playoffs. His minutes can range from two to twenty, but he always finds a way to help us win. When the stakes are high, he shows up. What he did in the biggest moment of his career so far shows his heart and who he is as a competitor. He deserves a ton of credit.”
Wiggins was lethal from beyond the arc, sinking five of eight three-point attempts and finishing with a game-best plus-minus rating of +24. Meanwhile, SGA led all scorers with 34 points—no other player in the game surpassed 20.
Unlike the dramatic Game 1, where Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton led a stunning comeback, the Pacers couldn’t rally this time. Trailing 59-41 at halftime, Indiana failed to mount a significant run. Haliburton paced his team with 17 points but couldn’t spark a second consecutive upset.
The series now heads to Indianapolis, where the Pacers have a strong 6-2 playoff record. With Games 3 and 4 on their home court, Indiana has a chance to ensure a return trip to OKC and potentially grab a commanding 3-1 series lead. The Pacers have already knocked out the East’s top seed, Cleveland, and the New York Knicks to make it to the Finals.
Game 3 is scheduled for Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. CT.
