Facing a short-handed Indiana Pacers missing their two best players Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner, the Oklahoma City Thunder suffered a frustrating loss, 121-117, on Friday.
The Thunder were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 39 points on 11-of-22 shooting and went 17-of-17 from the free-throw line. This was his first game back after a two-game absence due to an ankle sprain.
For the Pacers, unlikely hero T.J. McConnell led the way off of the bench. He finished with a near triple-double of 21 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
Let’s look at some of the best photos from the Thunder’s four-point loss.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 31: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder against Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 31: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder walks off of the court after fouling out of the game against Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) shoots the ball while Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey (3) defends in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Smith (25) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) and Indiana Pacers forward Oshae Brissett (12) fight for a rebound in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield (24) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA;Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Isaiah Jackson (22) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield (24) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Jordan Nwora (13) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Jordan Nwora (13) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Lindy Waters III (12) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) and forward Jalen Smith (25) defend in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey (3) shoots the ball in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Jordan Nwora (13) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Smith (25) and forward Jordan Nwora (13) defend in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) shoots the ball while Oklahoma City Thunder forward Lindy Waters III (12) defends in the second quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) shoots the ball while Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) defends in the second quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Isaiah Jackson (22) shoots the ball while Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) defends in the second quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Jordan Nwora (13) shoots the ball while Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) defends in the second quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) dives for a loose ball while Oklahoma City Thunder forward Lindy Waters III (12) defends in the second quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) shoots the ball while Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) defends in the second quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and Indiana Pacers forward Oshae Brissett (12) fight for a rebound in the second quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Smith (25) shoots the ball while Oklahoma City Thunder forward Aleksej Pokusevski (17) defends in the second quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Smith (25) catches the ball while Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) defends in the second quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Isaiah Jackson (22) shoots the ball while Oklahoma City Thunder forward Aleksej Pokusevski (17) defends in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) dribbles the ball while Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) defends in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) dribbles the ball while Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) defends in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield (24) dribbles the ball while Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) defends in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Jordan Nwora (13) and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) play for the rebound in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) defends in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 31: The Indiana Pacers cheerleaders perform against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 31: Jordan Nwora #13 of the Indiana Pacers defends the shot of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 31: The Indiana Pacers mascot performs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 31: Jordan Nwora #13 of the Indiana Pacers against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 31: T.J. McConnell #9 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 31: T.J. McConnell #9 of the Indiana Pacers against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 31: Buddy Hield #24 of the Indiana Pacers against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 31: Isaiah Jackson #22 of the Indiana Pacers against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 31: Rick Carlisle the head coach of the Indiana Pacers against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 31: Jalen Williams #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder against Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 31: Mark Daigneault the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder against Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 31: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder against Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 31: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder against Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 31: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reaches for a rebound while holding his shoe against Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 31: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reaches for a rebound while holding his shoe against Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 31: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reaches for a rebound while holding his shoe against Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 31: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reaches for a rebound while holding his shoe against Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 31: Bennedict Mathurin #00 of the Indiana Pacers reaches for a loose ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 31: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder against Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 31: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder against Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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