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OKLAHOMA CITY—If we consider the NBA championship series as the ultimate test before summer for the teams involved—akin to a final exam—the one advantage over the painstaking tests we experienced in high school or college is that these players arrive armed with the questions in advance.
The focus now shifts to how the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers respond.
Reflecting the potential maximum length of this matchup, there are seven key questions at play. The team that excels in this best-of-seven series will secure the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Throughout this season, no one has managed to contain Kia’s Most Valuable Player and leading scorer, so Indiana’s best bet is to simply try to limit Gilgeous-Alexander’s impact.
The Thunder’s star point guard consistently put up over 30 points against 22 of the 29 teams, boasting a field goal percentage exceeding 50% against 21 of them. In his previous matchups against Indiana, Gilgeous-Alexander delivered outstanding performances, averaging 39 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists, shooting 55.6% from the field, hitting seven of eleven three-point shots, and converting 21 of 23 from the free-throw line.
His drives into the paint may necessitate defensive strategies similar to those typically employed against Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. While Gilgeous-Alexander may not bulldoze through defenders to finish with ferocious dunks like Antetokounmpo does, he adeptly maneuvers toward the basket for high-percentage shots and and-1 chances.
How can Indiana’s defense respond? Perhaps by constructing a blockade, akin to how they challenge “The Greek Freak,” and forcing him into mid-range shots and beyond.
As the Thunder and Pacers gear up for this Finals showdown, you can catch glimpses of Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton in action.
A notable distinction arises in the first question: it highlights the gap between an MVP athlete and a third-team All-NBA player. While Haliburton is the driving force and measuring stick for the Pacers, he has been prone to inconsistency. A recent instance of this was in Game 5 against New York, where the Knicks applied pressure early in the shot clock, forcing him to make lateral movements that hindered his performance.
This aggressive approach from New York will likely be matched by Oklahoma City’s robust defense. The pass-first Haliburton will need to connect with his shooters, who must convert their opportunities to shift some of the attention away from him. The fewer obstacles he faces in transition, the more effectively he can orchestrate the game.
The Thunder boasts a larger front line, featuring center Isaiah Hartenstein and the 7-footer Chet Holmgren, who acts as a stretch four. Indiana counters with Myles Turner, a 6-foot-11 veteran who nearly matched his rebounding average (6.5) with his three-point attempts (5.5) this season. Pascal Siakam is Indiana’s next tallest starter at 6-foot-8.
To address opposing teams that use size effectively, Coach Rick Carlisle has enlisted the help of veteran bigs Thomas Bryant and Tony Bradley in this postseason. However, Holmgren and Hartenstein have formed an efficient partnership for the Thunder, effectively cleaning up at the rim and managing the defensive boards with put-backs and alley-oops.
For Indiana, Andrew Nembhard might emerge as a critical role player. While Haliburton and Siakam provide a reliable foundation, along with Turner and 3-and-D specialist Aaron Nesmith, Nembhard’s performance could be the x-factor. As a combo guard, he has stepped up his defensive game this season, especially in the decisive Game 6 against Jalen Brunson of New York. He will be tasked with guarding Gilgeous-Alexander and, at his best, can contribute enough offensively to mitigate some of the Thunder guard’s scoring.
Guard Alex Caruso is an unpredictable variable for the Thunder, possessing unique championship experience from his time with the Lakers in 2020. He provides constant movement defensively, much like T.J. McConnell offers on offense for the Pacers. Additionally, he has shown to be a discreet offensive threat, averaging 13.2 points per 36 minutes this season while also contributing 3.0 steals.
Both teams have four bench players logging over 10 minutes during the 2025 NBA playoffs, which speaks to their respective depth.
When teams can access such talent from the bench, it disrupts the traditional approach where only seven or eight players receive significant minutes, a norm rooted in Finals history. Carlisle had nine players averaging over ten minutes in the first three rounds, mirroring Thunder coach Mark Daigneault’s strategy.
Although the playoffs afford more time between games and longer commercial breaks, which typically allows starters and key substitutes more playtime, both teams possess bench players who can substantially impact their performance—often referred to as “stars in their roles.” Reserves like Aaron Wiggins, Cason Wallace, Obi Toppin, and Ben Sheppard fulfill specialized roles for Daigneault and Carlisle.
While prioritizing the freshness of starters is beneficial, easing their workload is even more advantageous. Unless injuries occur, it seems likely that neither team would cut down on their rotation.
In this head-to-head clash between Daigneault and Carlisle, the coaching battle could be a pivotal factor in determining the Finals outcome.
Carlisle, at 65, is a seasoned coach who served as an assistant on Larry Bird’s staff when Indiana last reached the Finals in 2000. Daigneault, who is 40, was still a high school student back then, long before starting his coaching journey as a four-year student manager at the University of Connecticut.
Carlisle’s coaching experience has been marked by a wealth of knowledge, boasting a regular-season record of 993-960 (.536) that places him 11th all-time in wins, coupled with a playoff record of 83-83. He is among the select group of seven active coaches who have led teams to championships, achieving this feat with Dallas in 2011 and earning the Coach of the Year honor during his inaugural season in Detroit in 2002, in addition to three other Top 5 finishes throughout his 23-year coaching career.
Daigneault has ascended the coaching ranks through college programs (Holy Cross and Florida) before joining the Thunder as an assistant and later coaching their NBA G League team. He was honored as the NBA’s Coach of the Year for the 2023-24 season and has two additional Top 5 acknowledgments within five seasons. With a regular-season record of 211-189 (.528), he stands 93rd among NBA coaches by winning percentage, but in terms of playoff performance, he ranks second all-time with an 18-8 (.692) postseason record.
This places Daigneault ahead of coaching legends like Phil Jackson, Steve Kerr, Pat Riley, and Gregg Popovich—an impressive mark. (For context, the top playoff record belongs to former Cavaliers coach David Blatt, who went 14-6 (.700) in his sole playoff run.)
When it comes to determining which coach has the advantage, it’s ultimately a matter of choosing between experience and the growth shared with his core players. Each coach is deeply ingrained with their team’s identity and understands precisely when to push buttons that the other might not even recognize if the roles were reversed.
This Finals matchup promises a captivating encounter, presenting a compelling contrast between two distinct styles. The Pacers excel at fast-paced scoring, while the Thunder thrive on their relentless physical defense. In previous years, the Pacers might have held the advantage under different officiating circumstances, but now, Oklahoma City’s assertiveness and aggressive play—which led the league in fouls committed (23.2) and involved plenty of uncalled contact—will likely make a more significant impact.
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Steve Aschburner has been covering the NBA since 1980. You can reach him via email, review his archive, and follow him on X.
The opinions expressed on this page do not necessarily reflect those of the NBA, its teams, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
