INDIANAPOLIS — The clamor for ratings, the public’s yearning for a new wave of NBA faces, the schedule that left Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in an Indianapolis hotel on Christmas instead of on national television. Even if league lovers didn’t know it, they were asking about SGA in the form of an MVP candidate on a Thursday in Indiana.

A one-man demolition crew if he wants to be. A 6-foot-6 bandaid for an OKC offense still trying to solidify the way its defense has.

Should Gilgeous-Alexander win the award, the Thunder’s 120-114 win over the Pacers will be at the top of the list of reasons.

He posted 45 points, seven rebounds and eight assists, shot 15 for 22 from the field and made four of his five 3-point attempts – some of which came off the dribble in the final minutes of the game.

Whatever OKC asked, he did it. On a night where he was 13 for 37 from 3, Gilgeous-Alexander continually reached out to his teammates. He constantly faced Isaiah Joe, the sniper on the staff, despite going just 1-for-7. He caught Lu Dort in pressured moments while defenses were closing in on SGA like an elevator in a New York office building.

And when the Thunder had no answers, Gilgeous-Alexander created them. He broke through the zone defense. He jumped over helping defenders. He twisted and turned, he got faster and slower.

In one quarter he was only 2 for 8. After that? 16 to 17. His only missed shot came in the third quarter. Even then, he handed out four of his assists in the quarter.

The Thunder were up to 15 points behind. For most of Thursday it looked like a shell of itself. However, Gilgeous-Alexander rarely did this. Gilgeous-Alexander dug OKC out of the hole it was supposed to be sleeping in.

Next up: Thunder at Hornets

TIP: 5:00 p.m. Saturday at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC (FanDuel Sports Network)

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4:14 left in 1Q: Pacers 22, Thunder 7 | Lu Dort returns for OKC

10:37 left in 1Q: Pacers 4, Thunder 0 | Lu Dort goes to the locker room injured

Lu Dort made a quick flush in transition but failed, fell into the support and stayed there for a while. I got up limping. Mark Daigneault just called a timeout, presumably to get him off the floor. He’s in the locker room.

What time is the Thunder vs. Pacers game tonight?

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What channel is OKC Thunder vs Indiana Pacers on today?

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Thunder vs Pacers betting odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Wednesday, December 25th

Opportunities: Thunder at 4.5

Over/Under: 227.5

Money line: OKC-210 | Indiana +170

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OKC Thunder roster

• Branden Carlson, C

• Alex Caruso, PG

• Ousmane Dieng, SF

• Luguentz Dort, SG

• Alex Ducas, SG *

• Adam Flagler, PG

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, SG

• Isaiah Hartenstein, C

• Chet Holmgren, PF

• Isaiah Joe, SG

• Dillon Jones, SF

• Ajay Mitchell, SG *

• Nikola Topić, PG

• Cason Wallace, SG

• Aaron Wiggins, SG

• Jalen Williams, SG

• Jaylin Williams, PF

• Kenrich Williams, PF

*-Two-way contract

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Thunder vs. Pacers injury updates

Thunder: Branden Carlson (concussion protocol) is out. Alex Caruso (left hip strain) is out. Alex Ducas (G League Two-Way) is out. Adam Flagler (G League Two-Way) is out. Chet Holmgren (fracture of the right wing of the pelvis) is out. Nikola Topic (left knee operation) is out.

Pacemaker: Enrique Freeman (G League Two-Way) is questionable. Isaiah Jackson (torn right Achilles tendon) is out. Quenton Jackson (G League Two-Way) is questionable. Aaron Nesmith (left ankle sprain) is out. Tristen Newton (G League Two-Way) is questionable, Myles Turner (right oblique contusion) is questionable. James Wiseman (torn left Achilles tendon) is out.

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Thunder vs Pacers highlights

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander fuels Thunder rally past Pacers with 45 points