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This series embodies the classic David versus Goliath narrative, or perhaps a more fitting analogy for the Pacers is the “Hoosiers” story. Much like the undersized Hickory High School from the Gene Hackman film that triumphed over larger rivals to clinch the Indiana state championship years ago, the Pacers must remind themselves that the hoops in the NBA Finals are set at the same height. As Pacers coach Rick Carlisle puts it, this is a “magical ride.”
But will the finale of this 2025 tale stir the same emotions? Indiana comes into this series having suffered two defeats against Oklahoma City in the regular season, so they’ll need to perform almost flawlessly to emerge victorious. Perhaps the magic of Tyrese Haliburton’s clutch plays could help him channel the prowess of Dirk Nowitzki in 2011, who unexpectedly dismantled the Miami Big Three Heat, coached by Carlisle himself.
And as for the inevitable discussion regarding small-market teams that will follow this matchup? Let’s set that aside — it’s immaterial. True fans will tune in no matter the size of the market. What truly matters is how players step up to attract casual viewers, creating an engaging series.
So, what’s your take, Pacers?
Here’s the schedule for the Thunder vs. Pacers series:
All times are in Eastern Standard Time
• Game 1: Pacers at Thunder (Thu. June 5, 8:30 PM, ABC)
• Game 2: Pacers at Thunder (Sun. June 8, 8:00 PM, ABC)
• Game 3: Thunder at Pacers (Wed. June 11, 8:30 PM, ABC)
• Game 4: Thunder at Pacers (Fri. June 13, 8:30 PM, ABC)
• Game 5: Pacers at Thunder (Mon. June 16, 8:30 PM, ABC) *
• Game 6: Thunder at Pacers (Thu. June 19, 8:30 PM, ABC) *
• Game 7: Pacers at Thunder (Sun, June 22, 8:00 PM, ABC) ** = if necessary
Tyrese Haliburton and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will head their respective teams into Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday evening.
Expect a clash of elite defense against an explosive offense. This series will provide an opportunity to see how the Thunder’s relentless defense fares against the Pacers’ efficient offensive strategies. The game’s outcome may hinge on which unit shines brighter when the ball is on either side of the court.
The Thunder showcased impressive defensive capabilities against the Timberwolves and maintained that through much of the playoffs. Oklahoma City features two players from the league’s All-Defensive team — Lu Dort (first team) and Jalen Williams (second) — along with key contributors like Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso, who have proven to be formidable defenders throughout the playoffs.
For the Pacers, the focus will be on Haliburton and his ability to create scoring opportunities for others. He represents a throwback style — a pass-first point guard who efficiently sets up teammates, leads the fast break, and keeps the defense guessing. Such players are becoming increasingly rare in today’s game.
When assessed in the context of the big men, the matchup appears to favor Oklahoma City because of their rebounding strength. Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein both have the potential for double-digit rebounds. On the other hand, Myles Turner has struggled on the boards, and the Pacers lack a robust backup, meaning Pascal Siakam will need to shoulder much of the rebounding burden, averaging a modest 5.8 boards per game during the playoffs.
If the Pacers can collectively match the grit displayed by Oklahoma City, it would signify a major accomplishment for Indiana, though that won’t come easily. Holmgren is developing quickly during these playoffs, and Hartenstein was acquired specifically to make an impact in the paint — and so far, he has met those expectations.
General Manager Sam Presti has constructed a roster filled with young talent that prioritizes team success over individual accolades.
As for the Thunder, will their depth prove to be an advantage once again? They have dominated that aspect throughout their previous playoff series. The Thunder were able to outlast the Nuggets, who ultimately succumbed to injuries, and they took the Timberwolves by surprise.
It can be demoralizing for opposing teams when resilient players like Caruso, Aaron Wiggins, and Cason Wallace enter the game and immediately contribute. Oklahoma City isn’t hesitant to extend their rotation to eight or nine players. When the bench performs well, it alleviates some of the pressure on the starters to deliver star-level performances.
Pascal Siakam reacts after winning the Larry Bird Trophy as the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals Most Valuable Player.
For the Pacers, Siakam secured the Eastern Conference Finals MVP title over Haliburton, a result that may have surprised some observers. However, Siakam had a strong series against the Knicks and has been a valuable addition since his trade from Toronto.
Having previously won a championship in Toronto in 2019, he approaches this challenge without fear. For Indiana to introduce drama into this series, he will need to replicate that intensity — requiring strong performances against Williams and a team that has survived both Nikola Jokić and Anthony Edwards.
Best of luck to Siakam.
In transition, the Pacers have outscored their playoff opponents by an impressive 8.5 points per game, according to Synergy tracking. This is the best differential in the playoffs and includes a significant 46-18 tally in transition during their Game 6 win over the Knicks on Saturday.
The Thunder follow closely with the second-best differential, outscoring opponents by 8.1 points per game in transition.
The Pacers, who thrive on fast-paced play, are led by Tyrese Haliburton, the league leader with 9.2 pass-ahead passes per game, as noted by Second Spectrum tracking. Meanwhile, the Thunder capitalize on turnovers and leading the league in both the regular season (16.9) and playoffs (17.7) for opponent turnovers per 100 possessions.
However, such strong differentials also stem from effective transition defense. The Thunder top the playoffs with the lowest percentage of opponent possessions (13.6%) that occur in transition, while the Pacers have allowed the fewest points per possession (0.96) in transition, per Synergy.
The primary contention of this series may unfold in those critical first five or six seconds of the shot clock.
— John Schuhmann
Oklahoma City enters this series with the season’s supremacy and playoff success, highlighted by 68 victories, an extraordinary point differential, exceptional defense, and impressive depth. Will they falter at this critical juncture against a team that trailed them by 14 games in the standings? That seems improbable. A more realistic scenario anticipates Shai Gilgeous-Alexander adding a championship to his impressive list of accomplishments this season. Give Haliburton a game, and the ring goes to OKC. Thunder in 5.
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for over 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here, and follow him on X.
The perspectives offered here do not necessarily reflect those of the NBA, its franchises, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
