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Thunder 'played better collectively' in Game 2, says head coach Daigneault

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Clock Icon2 hoursBasketball

Mark Daigneault praised his Oklahoma City Thunder side as he believes the whole team played their roles much better in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

The Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers 123-107 to tie the series at 1-1 heading into Game 3 in Indianapolis.

Despite MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 38 points in Game 1, his Thunder team-mates could not provide the same offensive output, but that changed in the second game.

Alex Caruso (20), Jalen Williams (19), Aaron Wiggins (18), and Chet Holmgren (15) all scored 15+ points in the victory, earning warranted praise from their head coach.

"I thought everyone played better individually, and I thought we played better collectively," Daigneault said.

"He [Wiggins] was massive tonight. Went in there with great confidence. Didn't go until the second quarter and dove right into the game. Great professionalism, great readiness and a huge performance for us in that situation."

Gilgeous-Alexander produced another great display, scoring 34 points with eight assists, five rebounds and four steals.

"Yeah, unsurprising at this point," Daigneault added. "It's just kind of what he does. He just continues to progress and improve and rise to every occasion that he puts himself in and that we put ourselves in."

Pacers center Myles Turner also highlighted the impact of the Thunder's role players, stating that the Eastern Conference champions have to do better at limiting their opponents.

"It's a matter of slowing him [Gilgeous-Alexander] down and limiting the role players," Turner said.

"A few of their guys stepped up tonight. I think Wiggins had a great game. Caruso, he did what he had to do. So it's about limiting their role players and making it tougher on them, at least."

Game 3 of the NBA Finals takes place on June 11 in Indianapolis.