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Oct. 23 blog: Recapping Thursday's dazzling doubleheader

Aaron Gordon vs. Stephen Curry thrills late and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander goes for 55 in Finals rematch that went to double-OT.

NBA.com Staff

Stephen Curry hits Denver with his “night night” celebration after dropping 42 points and six made 3s in Golden State’s 137-131 overtime win.

Follow along with the NBA.com live blog, as we bring you the top moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights.

Oklahoma City Thunder 141, Indiana Pacers 135 (Final, 2OT)

Golden State Warriors 137, Denver Nuggets 131 (Final, OT)

1:21 AM / OCTOBER 24, 2025

Thursday’s Top Performers

  1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: career-high 55 points (15-31 FG, 2-7 3PM, 23-26 FT), 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and one block in win vs. Pacers.
  2. Aaron Gordon: career-high 50 points (17-21 FG, 10-11 3PM, 6-6 FT), 8 rebounds, 2 assists and  one block in loss vs. Warriors.
  3. Stephen Curry: 42 points (14-25 FG, 6-12 3PM, 8-8 FT), 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals and one block in win vs. Nuggets.
  4. Bennedict Mathurin: 36 points (9-19 FG, 3-8 3PM, 15-17 FT), 11 rebounds and one assist in loss vs. Thunder.
  5. Pascal Siakam: 32 points (12-25 FG, 3-6 3PM, 5-12 FT), 15 rebounds, 4 assists and one steal in loss vs. Thunder.

1:16 AM / OCTOBER 24, 2025

What we know about Thursday night’s games

  • Oklahoma City becomes the first team in NBA history to open a season with two double overtime contests. In 2024-25, the Thunder played in just a single overtime game, which they lost. They’re 2-0 to begin the 2025-26 season.
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander erupts for career-high 55 points while setting career-highs in free throw makes (23) and attempts (26). SGA’s 90 points are the fifth most through the first two games of a season in NBA history. The reigning NBA MVP ties Russell Westbrook with five 50-point games in OKC franchise history.
  • Bennedict Mathurin (36 points, 11 rebounds) and Pascal Siakam (32 points, 15 rebounds) each post 30-point double-doubles in Indiana’s 141-135 double overtime loss to Oklahoma City. Mathurin set career-highs in free throw makes (15) and attempts (17) before fouling out in 45 minutes.
  • Stephen Curry leads Golden State to a thrilling 137-131 overtime win against the visiting Nuggets, scoring 42 points to move the Warriors to 2-0 on the year. Curry put up 35 of his 42 points in the second half and OT period, making one clutch bucket after another.
  • Nikola Jokić finishes Denver’s loss with 21 points, 13 boards, 10 assists, one steal and one block. With his triple-double tonight, Joker ties Oscar Robertson for most career triple-doubles in regular-season openers with four.
  • Aaron Gordon cooks for a career-high 50 points and 10 made 3s, nearly setting an NBA record by sinking his first eight attempts from deep. It’s the highest-scoring season opener in Nuggets franchise history.

12:50 AM / OCTOBER 24, 2025

Warriors take down Nuggets in OT, 137-131

Stephen Curry finishes Golden State’s 137-131 OT victory with 42 points (14-25 FG) and six made 3s, 6 boards, 7 assists, 3 steals and a block in 37 minutes. Since the 2:45 mark in the fourth quarter, he poured in 16 consecutive points before Jimmy Butler III (21 points, 5 boards, 6 assists, 3 steals) hit the dagger triple from the top of the key to seal the win.

Aaron Gordon tallied a career-high 50 points (17-21 FG, 6-6 FT) and 10 made 3s with 8 rebounds, 2 assists and a block in 39 minutes. Jamal Murray added 25 points, 10 assists and 3 steals while Nikola Jokić recorded his first triple-double of the season with 21 points, 13 boards, 10 assists, one steal and one block.

12:35 AM / OCTOBER 24, 2025

We’re heading to OT in The Bay!

The Warriors and Nuggets are even at 120 heading into overtime, live on ESPN. Basketball is BACK.

12:32 AM / OCTOBER 24, 2025

Curry, Gordon trading 3s in crunch time

Stephen Curry (32 points) scores 8 straight points for the Warriors before Aaron Gordon (45 points) nails his tenth 3-pointer of the night, giving Denver a 120-117 lead with 25.7 seconds remaining. Moments later, Curry drills his fifth triple of the game to tie it at 120 with 21.4 left. Get to this game now!

12:17 AM / OCTOBER 24, 2025

Gordon has 42 and counting for Denver

Aaron Gordon set new career-highs in scoring with 42 points and made 3s with 9, and there’s still four minutes left in the fourth quarter.

All five starters for Golden State are in double figures scoring, led by Stephen Curry with 24 points in 28 minutes. The Nuggets have outscored the Warriors by 7 points in the final frame, and they’re leading 116-109 with 3 minutes remaining in the contest. Tune in live on ESPN to catch the conclusion of this one!

11:57 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

Warriors storm back to tie game at 94

Stephen Curry scores 13 of his 20 points in the third quarter, as the Warriors outscore the Nuggets 33-24 in the period to tie the game at 94 heading to the fourth. Six Golden State players are in double figures

Jamal Murray has 21 points, 7 assists and 3 steals, while Nikola Jokić is up to 16 points, 11 boards, 8 assists and one block in 28 minutes.

11:42 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

Gordon sets career-high with 8 3PM

Aaron Gordon has set a career-high by going 8-for-8 from 3-point range, and he’s up to 32 points (10-12 FG, 4-4 FT) with 5 boards, an assist and a block in 23 minutes. Cameron Johnson is on the board for his new team, and Nikola Jokić (16 points) and Jamal Murray (14 points) are doing their part as well.

After finishing with just 7 points in the first half, Stephen Curry has 13 in the third quarter to give him 20 points on the night. Golden State pulls to within one, 85-84, as Denver leads with just four minutes remaining in the third quarter.

11:22 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

Denver leads Golden State 70-61 at half

Aaron Gordon is on fire in Denver’s 2025-26 season opener, already matching a career-high figure with seven made 3s (on 7 attempts) in just 16 minutes. Cameron Johnson is scoreless (0-3 FG, 0-3 3PM) over 13 minutes in his Nuggets debut, but he’s got 2 boards and 2 assists with a +1 plus-minus rating.

Nikola Jokić has 14 points on 5-for-8 shooting (2-5 3PM, 2-2 FT) with 7 boards, 5 dimes and a block in 18 minutes.

Jimmy Butler III leads the Warriors in scoring at 11 points on 4-for-8 from the field, adding 3 boards, one assist and 2 steals over 14 minutes. Stephen Curry has 7 points, 2 boards, 6 assists and a steal, while Jonathan Kuminga is Golden State’s second-leading scorer with 9 points (4-6 FG, 1-3 3PM).

11:12 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

SGA sets new career-high in OKC’s 141-135 2OT win

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drops a new career-high with 55 points on 15-for-31 shooting (2-7 3PM, 23-26 FT) with 8 boards, 5 assists, 2 steals and a block to help OKC move to 2-0 on the season. Ajay Mitchell set a career-high with 26 points (9-19 FG, 0-3 3PM, 8-8 FT) to go along with 3 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal.

Bennedict Mathurin fell just two points shy of tying his career-best mark in scoring, finishing with a team-high 36 points (9-19 FG, 3-8 3PM, 15-17 FT) with 11 rebounds and one helper across 45 minutes. He also set a personal best in both free-throw makes and attempts.

Pascal Siakam was right behind him with 32 points (12-25 FG, 3-6 3PM, 5-12 FT) of his own, along with 15 rebounds, 4 assists and one steal in 44 minutes.

10:57 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

Podziemski showing off the smooth footwork

Brandin Podziemski dazzles his way through the paint for a nice finish at the rim, giving him 8 points on 3-for-6 shooting (1-4 3PM, 1-2 FT) with 2 boards and an assist in 13 minutes. Jimmy Butler III leads the Warriors in scoring with 9 points and 3 boards in his 13 minutes.

Jamal Murray looks sharp over his 13 minutes, dropping 12 points (6-8 FG, 0-1 3PM), 6 assists and 3 steals. The Nuggets are leading the Warriors 49-45 with six minutes remaining before the half.

10:49 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

SGA up to 51 points in 2OT

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a game-high 51 points now in 45 minutes, adding 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and a block. Bennedict Mathurin, the leading scorer for Indy with 36 points, fouls out after 45 minutes of action.

The Thunder currently lead the Pacers 137-131 with 44.8 seconds remaining in the second OT period.

10:41 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

Double overtime in Indy!

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (46 points) and Bennedict Mathurin (36 points, 11 rebounds) are going toe-to-toe in Indiana, and we’ve got more free basketball coming your way on ESPN. The Pacers and Thunder are heading to double overtime with the score even at 124.

Oklahoma City becomes the first team in NBA history to play double overtime games in their first two contests to begin a season.

10:36 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

Denver off to strong start in 2025-26

Nikola Jokić finishes the dish from new Nugget Cameron Johnson, giving the Joker 6 points with 2 boards, 2 assists and one block in 10 minutes. Aaron Gordon leads all scorers with 11 points on 3-for4 shooting and a perfect 3-for-3 from long range. Denver uses a 10-0 run to take a 27-21 lead with just two minutes remaining.

10:23 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

Curry gets Warriors started with a 3

Stephen Curry and the Warriors are in action (live on ESPN News) as they host the Nuggets for Denver’s first game of the 2025-26 campaign. Nikola Jokić has 6 early points on 3-for-3 shooting as his squad is all even with Golden State, 10-10, midway through the opening quarter.

10:20 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

Pacers, Thunder heading to overtime

Pascal Siakam’s (27 points) jumper over Chet Holmgren with 6.5 seconds remaining ties the game at 113. For the second time in as many games, OKC will play extra minutes. Overtime is starting now on ESPN!

10:16 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

Thunder lead Pacers 113-111 with 11.8 seconds left

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made 1-of-2 free throws after an intentional foul from Obi Toppin. Tune in to see if the Pacers can tie or win it!

10:11 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

Mathurin taking over late in the 4th

Bennedict Mathurin has 32 points (8-14 FG, 3-6 3PM, 13-15 FT) and 10 rebounds as he and the Pacers try to close out the Thunder at home. Oklahoma City holds a 112-111 lead with less than a minute left in the contest.

9:54 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

Pacers-Thunder going back and forth

Pascal Siakam drills the pull-up triple to give him a team-high 25 points! We’ve seen 12 ties and eight lead changes to this point, and the Pacers and Thunder are tied at 99 with just six minutes remaining. Don’t miss the conclusion, live on ESPN!

Isaiah Hartenstein finished this and-1 off a beautiful dish from Ajay Mitchell. That was Aaron Nesmith’s sixth personal foul, so he’ll have to watch his team try to close out a win from the sidelines.

9:45 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

Ajay Mitchell fights through the contact

Ajay Mitchell is showing why he’s earned a spot in the Thunder rotation, as he’s up to 15 points (5-10 FG, 0-2 3PM, 5-5 FT) with 3 boards, 2 assists and a steal in 21 minutes off the bench. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has 34 points on 9-for-17 shooting (2-4 3PM, 14-15 FT) with 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and a block.

Bennedict Mathurin and Pascal Siakam have 22 points apiece to lead Indiana in scoring. The Pacers and Thunder are tied at 92 win just under 8 minutes to go in the fourth quarter.

9:31 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

Indiana fighting back in 3rd quarter

Ben Sheppard started the second half for the Pacers after it was announced Andrew Nembhard (left shoulder soreness) would not return to tonight’s game. Sheppard is up to 10 points (4-9 FG, 2-5 3PM), 2 boards, 2 assists, a steal and a block in 18 minutes.

Pacers rookie Taelon Peter looks solid in his NBA debut, as he knocks down his first career bucket to keep Indiana in the contest. However, his squad trails Oklahoma City 81-78 after three quarters of play. Tune in for the final 12 minutes on ESPN!

Here’s Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) giving his rookie teammate some love on the sidelines.

9:06 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

Get caught up with 1st half highlights

In case you missed the first half of this 2025 NBA Finals rematch between the Pacers and Thunder, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

9:00 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

OKC takes 54-47 lead into halftime

Indiana took a 3-point lead after the opening frame, 25-22, but OKC outscored them 32-22 in the second to take an 8-point lead into the break. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads all players with 21 points (5-8 FG, 11-12 FT) while adding 3 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block in 16 minutes.

Second-year guard Ajay Mitchell, who impressed with 16 points in 15 minutes off the bench in the Thunder’s win over Houston on Tuesday, has 10 points (3-7 FG, 0-1 3PM, 4-4 FT), 2 boards, one assist and one steal in 14 minutes as a reserve tonight.

Pascal Siakam leads the Pacers with 14 points (5-9 FG, 1-3 3PM, 3-6 FT), 6 boards and one dime, while Obi Toppin has chipped in 10 points, 3 boards and 2 steals in 15 minutes off the bench. Indiana has struggled from the field, as they’re shooting 36.8% (14-38 FG) from the floor and 22.2% (4-18 3PM) from downtown.

8:30 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

Thunder, Pacers living up to the hype

Oklahoma City undrafted rookie Chris Youngblood breaks the Thunder’s drought from 3 by connecting on his first career field goal attempt. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is up to a game-high 16 points on 4-for-5 shooting and 8-for-9 at the charity stripe, and he’s been doing it at both ends.

Pascal Siakam has 14 points on 5-for-7 shooting with 5 boards in 12 minutes of action. We’ve seen three ties and two lead changes so far, as both teams are knotted up at 39 midway through the second quarter. Former Pacer Lance Stephenson is enjoying the game from courtside.

8:15 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

Pacers lead 25-22 over Thunder after one

Following their struggles from beyond the arc on Opening Night when they shot 13-for-52 (25.0%), Oklahoma City went 0-for-8 on 3-point attempts in the first frame. Indiana owns a 25-22 lead as we head to the second quarter, live on ESPN!

8:12 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

SGA hangs and hits off glass

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (10 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal) and Pascal Siakam (game-high 11 points) are battling early in this 2025 NBA Finals rematch.

Both teams have combined for 9 turnovers already, with just under two minutes remaining in the first.

8:02 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

Pacers starting hot from 3

Bennedict Mathurin and Pascal Siakam have 5 points and 2 rebounds apiece to lead Indiana, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has 10 points on 6-for-7 shooting from the free throw line. The Thunder currently trail the Pacers 17-14 midway through the opening quarter.

7:31 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

First five for OKC’s first road matchup of season

Aaron Wiggins jumps into the Thunder first unit for coach Mark Daigneault, as he’s filling in for third-year guard Cason Wallace, who will miss Thursday night’s contest due to a knee injury. Wallace posted 14 points (5-10 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 7 boards, 5 assists and 4 steals in the season opener.

Pacers and Thunder are live now on ESPN!

7:20 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

Pacers reveal starters for first game of 2025-26 season

Andrew Nembhard will handle starting point guard duties for Indiana while Tyrese Haliburton continues rehab on his Achilles. Joining him with the first unit will be Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson, who missed all but five games in 2024-25 with a torn Achilles tendon.

Pascal Siakam shows off the soccer skills as he prepares for the first of two 2025 Finals rematches against the Thunder. The 31-year-old Douala, Cameroon native averaged 20.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks across 78 regular-season starts a year ago for the Pacers.

7:08 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

Oklahoma City’s defense picking up right where it left off

On Tuesday night in OKC, the Thunder held the Rockets to 44.3% shooting from the field (43-97 FG) and 28.2% from 3-point range (11-39 3Pt). They also racked up 12 steals and 4 blocks in their thrilling 125-124 2OT victory.

Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith also gave the Thunder their flowers.

6:55 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

Warriors, Nuggets set for tip at 10 PM in nightcap

Following their 119-109 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Opening Night, Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors host Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets to cap our two-game slate tonight. Curry, who dropped 23 points with three made 3s and three steals in the win, talks about his star teammate, Jimmy Butler III, and doing “what it takes to win”.

Butler III went to work with a team-high 31 points on 7-for-14 shooting with 5 boards, 4 assists and a steal in 35 minutes on Tuesday. Playing in his Warriors debut, Al Horford played 20 minutes en route to 5 points, 5 rebounds and an assist. He’ll be tasked with trying to slow down the three-time MVP in Jokić.

6:33 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025

2025 NBA Finals rematch tips off doubleheader on ESPN

In our first of two star-studded matchups on ESPN tonight, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Indiana Pacers in a rematch of the 2025 NBA Finals. SGA finished with 35 points after scoring just 5 over 18 minutes in the first half of OKC’s 125-124 2OT win over Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night.

Bennedict Mathurin, Pascal Siakam and the rest of the Pacers have the pleasure of hosting the defending champs to open their 2025-26 season. Check out some of their fits below to get ready for all the action, starting at 7:30 ET on ESPN!

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