OKC Thunder Strikes Daily

January 24, 2026 • Sports

Hosted by Big Dill

About This Episode

Generated sports podcast with host Big Dill based on prompt: I want to hear daily OKC Thunder news. If they played a game then give me the highlights.

Transcript

Welcome back to Big Dill Sports, I’m Dillon, and this is your go-to podcast for everything Oklahoma City Thunder. Today, we're diving into the heart-pounding action from Friday night as the Thunder faced off against the Indiana Pacers in a rematch of last season’s NBA Finals Game 7. Spoiler alert—it was a nail-biter!

The Pacers, coming in with a challenging 11-35 record, stunned the league-leading Thunder 117-114. Despite the Thunder's impressive home record, this upset underlined just how unpredictable the league can be.

Let's break it down. The Pacers came out swinging in the first half, pulling ahead to a 47-30 lead, thanks to Andrew Nembhard lighting up the scoreboard with 16 points. Oklahoma City struggled early, unable to find their rhythm, turning the ball over 15 times. A strong response by the Thunder saw them close the gap with a 23-11 run, fueled by Cason Wallace's two pivotal 3-pointers. Still, they trailed 58-53 at halftime.

Fast forward to the fourth quarter—this is where it gets intense. The Thunder nearly pulled off a comeback, shaving the Pacers' lead to just one point, 115-114, with a mere 7.8 seconds left. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, doing what he does best, sank crucial free throws, but it was Jarace Walker's ice-cold free throws that sealed it for Indiana. Isaiah Joe's last-second three-point attempt just rimmed out as time expired, leaving the Thunder just short.

Now, let's spotlight some standout performances. Shai was sensational, dropping a season-high 47 points with eight rebounds and six assists. And how about rookie Chet Holmgren? Showing his potential with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks. On the Pacers' side, Andrew Nembhard was on fire with 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Jarace Walker hit a career high with 26 points.

Despite the loss, Shai had some inspiring words that we can all take a lesson from. He talked about using failures as motivation, seeing every setback as a learning opportunity. It’s a great mindset, especially as the team navigates challenges with key players sitting out due to injuries. They were without Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, and a few others which certainly tested their depth.

Even with the setback, the Thunder still lead the Western Conference with a 37-9 record. They’ve been scoring machines, but Friday showed how vital a healthy roster is. The Thunder’s home streak might be broken, but their spirit remains unshaken.

Looking ahead, Oklahoma City will host the Toronto Raptors this Sunday, a chance to regroup and bounce back strong. For Indiana, they’re heading to Atlanta, riding a wave of newfound confidence with back-to-back wins for only the second time this season.

And before we wrap up, it’s time to announce our ‘Big Dill’ player of the night. Drumroll, please... it’s got to be Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Dropping 47 points and nearly bringing the Thunder back into the win column earns him this title, proving once again why he’s a key player for OKC.

That’s all for today on Big Dill Sports. Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth analysis, and as always, keep the Thunder spirit alive. See you next time!

### Game Recap: Pacers Stun Thunder 117–114 in NBA Finals Rematch
On Friday night, January 23, 2026, the Oklahoma City Thunder (37–9) hosted the Indiana Pacers (11–35) in a highly anticipated rematch of last season’s NBA Finals Game 7. In front of a packed Paycom Center, the injury-depleted Pacers mounted a late rally to upset the league-leading Thunder 117–114. Despite residing at the top of the Western Conference standings and boasting home-court advantage, Oklahoma City dropped its first home contest since November in a clash that underscored the parity emerging league-wide ([cbssports.com](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20260123_IND%40OKC/?utm_source=openai)).

### First Half Flow: Pacers Build Commanding Lead
Indiana raced out to a 47–30 advantage by halftime, keyed by Andrew Nembhard’s 16 first-half points. Nembhard poured in eight points in each of the first two quarters, including a corner 3-pointer that stretched the lead to 47–30 midway through the second period. The Thunder briefly responded with a 23–11 run—sparked by two 3s from Cason Wallace—to cut the deficit to 58–53 at the intermission. Oklahoma City’s early offensive struggles and 15 first-half turnovers hampered their ability to keep pace with a surprisingly efficient Pacers attack ([cbssports.com](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20260123_IND%40OKC/?utm_source=openai)).

### Late-Game Drama: Thunder Rally Falls Short
In the fourth quarter, the Thunder clawed within one possession of tying the game. Trailing 113–103 with 2:35 remaining, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander knocked down both free throws to bring Oklahoma City as close as 115–114 with 7.8 seconds left. However, Jarace Walker’s four pressure-packed free throws in the final 10 seconds sealed the victory for Indiana. A final 3-point attempt by Isaiah Joe rimmed out as time expired, capping a furious comeback bid that fell just short ([cbssports.com](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20260123_IND%40OKC/?utm_source=openai)).

### Standout Performances
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander carried the Thunder offensively with a season-high 47 points on 17-of-28 shooting, adding eight rebounds and six assists. He was perfect from the free-throw line, going 12-for-12, and also hit four triples in the late rally ([cbssports.com](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20260123_IND%40OKC/?utm_source=openai)). Rookie Chet Holmgren contributed 25 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks, showcasing his two-way potential. For the Pacers, Andrew Nembhard finished with a stellar 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Jarace Walker set a new career high with 26 points. Pascal Siakam added 21 points to help clinch the upset ([cbssports.com](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20260123_IND%40OKC/?utm_source=openai)).

### Shai on Growth: “Use Failures as Motivation”
Despite the loss, Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized the learning opportunities in each setback. “Every opportunity, every shot I take, every possession, every defensive possession, every missed box out… is an opportunity for me as an individual and us as a team to get better,” he reflected before the game. “You’re not going to succeed in all your opportunities but the ones that you fail in, remembering them and using them as motivation, is how you take steps forward.” His comments came amid a stretch in which the Thunder had slowed after a historic 24–1 start ([new.cbssports.com](https://new.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/playbyplay/NBA_20260123_IND%40OKC/?utm_source=openai)).

### Injury Report: Key Absences Weigh on Thunder
Oklahoma City entered the contest without All-Star guard/forward Jalen Williams (right hamstring strain) and veteran big man Isaiah Hartenstein (right soleus strain). Jalen Williams is expected to miss “a couple of weeks” as he rehabs his hamstring, a significant blow given his 16.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game this season ([nba.com](https://www.nba.com/news/thunder-jalen-williams-right-hamstring-strain?utm_source=openai)). Guard Aaron Wiggins missed his second straight game with right groin soreness, and rookie Ajay Mitchell was sidelined by a hip issue. Alex Caruso (strained adductor) also remained out, forcing coach Mark Daigneault to rely heavily on reserves.

### Season Implications and Standings Context
The Thunder, still leading the Western Conference at 37–9, saw their four-game home winning streak snapped. Oklahoma City has been the NBA’s most efficient offense, averaging 121.4 points per game, but Friday’s off night highlighted the impact of their growing injury list. The Pacers improved to 3–19 on the road, but have now won back-to-back games for only the second time all season ([foxsports.com](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/indiana-pacers-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-jan-23-2026-game-boxscore-44121?utm_source=openai)).

### What’s Next: Thunder Host Raptors Sunday
Oklahoma City looks to regroup quickly as it hosts the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, January 25. With a healthy rotation, the Thunder aim to reassert their dominance at Paycom Center. The Raptors, currently 32–14, present a formidable test, making it critical for the Thunder to get key contributors like Mitchell and Hartenstein back in the lineup. Indiana will head to Atlanta on Monday to continue its surprising mid-season resurgence ([cbssports.com](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20260123_IND%40OKC/?utm_source=openai)).

### Conclusion: Resilience Tested but Outlook Bright
Friday’s upset loss serves as a reminder that even elite teams can be vulnerable when injuries pile up. Yet, the Thunder’s blend of veteran leadership, emerging young talent, and a high-octane offense should weather this storm. As they navigate the next two weeks without Williams and other starters, Oklahoma City will lean on their depth and the relentless work ethic championed by Gilgeous-Alexander. For fans, the challenge now is patience—trusting that this temporary setback could fuel a stronger finish down the stretch.

OKC Thunder Strikes Daily