Aaron Wiggins' surprise dominance leads breakthrough night from Thunder bench in NBA Finals Game 2

Depth is almost always an asset for championship-level teams in the NBA, and the Thunder have plenty of it — including players who are and are not part of coach Mark Daigneault's rotation.

Oklahoma City boasts plenty of co-stars who can take some of the pressure off Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and it was Aaron Wiggins' turn in Game 2 of the NBA Finals vs. the Pacers on Sunday. 

Wiggins was one of four Thunder players with at least 18 points in a comfortable win, drilling five 3-pointers after playing less than 10 minutes in Game 1. He and Alex Caruso stepped up off the bench, giving Oklahoma City enough of a boost to keep the Pacers from climbing back into the game, ultimately resulting in a 123-107 Thunder victory to tie the series at a game apiece.

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Here's a closer look at Wiggins' performance and how Oklahoma City's bench was the difference-maker in Game 2.

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Aaron Wiggins stats Game 2 vs. Pacers

• Points: 18
• Rebounds: 4
• Assists: 1
• Steals: 1
• Blocks: 0
• TOs: 1
• Fouls: 1
• FG: 6-11
• 3FG: 5-8
• FT: 1-2

Wiggins scored 18 points off the bench for the Thunder in Game 2, shooting 5-of-8 from 3-point range and 6-of-11 overall. He added four rebounds, an assist, and a steal while committing one turnover.

Wiggins finished +24 in the victory, seven points better than anyone else in a Thunder uniform. 

Daigneault largely keeps his rotation flexible outside of his stars, and he trusted Wiggins in Game 2 after some impressive minutes. The former Maryland standout attempted just two shots over nine minutes of action in Game 1, but Daigneault gave him some additional run on Sunday with more than 20 minutes on the court.

After the game, Daigneault gave Wiggins credit for performing despite an inconsistent role.

"He was a huge part of our success this season. In the playoffs his role's been variant, but he hangs in there," Daigneault told reporters. "He was massive tonight, went in there with great confidence."

Mark Daigneault on Aaron Wiggins: “He was huge for us.” pic.twitter.com/0wFiIcaa1a

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) June 9, 2025

Come Game 3, Wiggins could very well see his role retract again as Daigneault sees fit — but he looks like he's earned more of a chance to put up shots against a gritty Pacers defense.

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Thunder bench points in Game 2

The Thunder bench scored 48 points in Sunday's 123-107 win over the Pacers. While Isaiah Joe, Ajay Mitchell, and Jaylin Williams scored in "garbage time" with the win in hand, Wiggins and Caruso alone combined for 38 points. Caruso erupted for 20, matching Wiggins at 6-of-11 from the floor, while playing his usual brand of dominant defense. 

Even Kenrich Williams, who didn't score on just one shot, finished +15 for the game thanks to his defense, rebounding, and ball movement.

Here's a complete breakdown of points from Oklahoma City's bench:

• Alex Caruso: 20 (6-11)
• Aaron Wiggins: 18 (6-11)
• Isaiah Hartenstein: 3 (1-2)
• Jaylin Williams: 3 (1-1)
• Ajay Mitchell: 2 (0-0)
• Isaiah Joe: 2 (1-3)

The Thunder would have liked even more out of Isaiah Hartenstein, who was held to three points, but he added eight rebounds and four assists while finishing plus-17. 

Conversely, Indiana's bench scored just 34 points, much of which game in garbage time. Obi Toppin, who hit five 3s in Game 1, was held to just three points in Game 2, shooting 1-for-8 from the field. 

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Aaron Wiggins Game 2 highlights 

Wiggins took a page out of Andrew Nembhard's book and got the Pacers' top player on an island before knocking down a 3-pointer.

— ESPN (@espn) June 9, 2025

Wiggins' fifth 3-pointer of the night confirmed there would be no historic Pacers comeback in Game 2.

— NBA (@NBA) June 9, 2025

Wiggins stretched Oklahoma City's lead to 22 with this shot early in the fourth quarter.

Aaron Wiggins Saved Basketball. pic.twitter.com/qQhLZwFfET

— Marlon (@MarlonBrandoe) June 9, 2025