After the thrilling season opener, champion Oklahoma City also delivered a thriller in the second game.
German basketball star Isaiah Hartenstein and defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder also delivered an exciting fight in the second game of the new NBA season.
In the rematch of the June finals series, OKC prevailed against the Indiana Pacers with 141:135 – requiring two overtimes just like the opener against the Houston Rockets (125:124). The champion maintains a perfect record.
Career best for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (r.)
Hartenstein grabs strong 14 rebounds
Hartenstein, who had won a championship ring as the first German after Dirk Nowitzki (2011) with last season’s triumph over Indiana, contributed four points in nearly 37 minutes on the court and grabbed a strong 14 rebounds.
The outstanding performer was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, last season’s MVP set a career high with 55 points, plus eight rebounds and five assists. Oklahoma became the first team in NBA history to go to double overtime in each of their first two season games.
The Pacers, who raised their Eastern Conference championship banner before the game, presented themselves well. Without the long-injured star guard Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam stepped up and reached 32 points and 15 rebounds, youngster Bennedict Mathurin contributed a strong 36 points as the best shooter.
Next up for champion OKC is an away game at the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night (German time). The Pacers visit the Memphis Grizzlies on the same day.