Once again defying the odds—and despite facing a major deficit at several points in the game—the Indiana Pacers pulled off a crucial win in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Shaquille O’Neal was on hand and broke down the surprising outcome.

“OKC couldn’t, you know, score enough. I think they went to Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander) a lot. You know, JDub (Jalen Williams) forced a couple shots and missed,” O’Neal said on NBA TV, while debating with NBA icons Isiah Thomas and Kenny Smith. However, he also acknowledged the Pacers’ effort: “But kudos to Indiana… they definitely stole one.”

Indeed, Oklahoma City once again placed all their hopes in Shai, as they have all season, and the Canadian guard rose to the occasion: he led the team with 38 points—twice as many as Pas

See Full Page