Gilgeous-Alexander hits career-high 55

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 55 points to lead reigning champions Oklahoma City over Indiana 141-135 in double overtime on Thursday in a historic rematch of last season's NBA Finals.

- 

Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in action against the Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

(AFP)

Hours after the league was rocked by a massive illegal gambling probe, reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Gilgeous-Alexander dragged the Thunder to victory.

The Canadian added eight rebounds and five assists in 45 minutes while hitting 15-of-31 shots from the floor and 23-of-26 free throws to lead a 45-of-51 Thunder effort from the line.

The 27-year-old guard, last season’s top NBA scorer, netted nine points in the second overtime to lift Oklahoma City over a determined Pacers.

“This team has two great qualities,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “It knows how to stay in the moment and it understands that the beginning of the season is just as important as the end of the season.”

After the Thunder won their season opener at home over Houston 125-124 in double overtime, they became the first club in NBA history to go into double overtime in their first two games of a campaign.