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**OKLAHOMA CITY** — Should the Indiana Pacers secure the championship, their path will showcase Tyrese Haliburton’s clutch shots at crucial moments, fluid ball movement, enhanced defensive efforts, Rick Carlisle’s astute coaching decisions, solid contributions from the bench, and much more.
However, achieving a 2025 championship mathematically hinges on the Pacers requesting another dose of the critical ingredient that has led them this far: winning away from home.
Their playoff record in challenging environments stands at 7-3—and they plan for it to keep growing—making it an impressive feat, especially with six of those victories coming against teams seeded higher than them.
The Pacers’ display of mental resilience, determination, and self-assurance is remarkable, reflecting standards set by past NBA champions who failed to achieve such a winning ratio. If they manage to clinch another road victory in the 2025 NBA Finals presented by YouTube TV, this significant accomplishment deserves a place of honor on their championship rings.
Thus, the challenge ahead for the Pacers is clear: triumph on Monday (8:30 ET, ABC) at Paycom Center or, if needed, in a decisive Game 7.
The Thunder’s home court is renowned for its deafening atmosphere, presenting a daunting challenge for opponents due to the excellence of the Thunder and the passionate, collegiate-like intensity it evokes.
Nonetheless, the Pacers pose a real threat going into Game 5, as they’ve proven adept at creating chaos throughout their playoff run and have the capacity to quiet even the most boisterous crowds. After all, nothing they encounter at Paycom will be more daunting than the playoff energy at Madison Square Garden, where they emerged victorious not once but twice.
“Stay focused on the moment,” said Myles Turner, the Pacers’ center, outlining their strategy for playing on the road. “It’s an unfriendly environment, and ultimately, these are the scenarios you dream of, playing in high-stakes situations. I think that’s what it comes down to. When things get tough, we unite and find a way to make it happen.”
1. **Game 1, Eastern Conference Finals**
Score: 138-135 (OT) in New York
This was Haliburton’s dramatic buzzer-beater—which was initially thought to be a three-pointer—that pushed the game into overtime. He paid homage to Reggie Miller by grabbing his throat, recognizing Miller’s legendary performances in New York, but it took extra time for the Pacers to seal the victory.
2. **Game 1, NBA Finals**
Score: 111-110 in OKC
Chasing History: An exclusive look as the Pacers take Game 1 in OKC.
Haliburton delivered yet another key moment, concluding with a last-second shot that stunned the Thunder, who had chances to seize control but faltered. Despite the situation, the Pacers maintained composure and set the Finals on high alert.
3. **Game 2, East Finals**
Score: 114-109 in New York
Typically, following a Game 1 win on the road is tricky, but the Pacers were determined to avoid a split in New York. Pascal Siakam exploded for 39 points, a performance that ultimately earned him the Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals MVP.
4. **Game 5, Eastern Conference Semifinals**
Score: 114-105 in Cleveland
Trailing by 19 at halftime, the Pacers mounted an impressive comeback. Securing a win in Cleveland, a challenging playoff venue, was noteworthy. Haliburton scored 31 points, and Turner hit a crucial three-pointer, marking their third consecutive win in Cleveland and securing a trip to the conference finals.
5. **Game 1, East Semifinals**
Score: 121-112 in Cleveland
The series opened with a surprising flourish, capped by a fourth-quarter surge of 15-4. Haliburton excelled across the board with strong defense, playmaking, and scoring.
6. **Game 4, Eastern Conference First Round**
Score: 129-103 in Milwaukee
While this victory didn’t bring the nail-biting tension seen in other games, it nonetheless demonstrated the Pacers’ dominance. With the Bucks reeling from Damien Lillard’s Achilles injury, Indiana led comfortably.
7. **Game 2, East Semifinals**
Score: 120-119 in Cleveland
The only reason this game ranks lower is that the Cavaliers were missing key players like Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and De’Andre Hunter. Haliburton drained a three-pointer in the final second, reinforcing his budding reputation for clutch performances.
The Pacers face another demanding task with Game 5 and possibly a Game 7 on the horizon. Their previous visit to OKC was less than inspiring, marking Indiana’s poorest performance of the series, culminating in a 16-point loss.
1. **Siakam Needs to Step Up:**
The Pacers will benefit from a strong performance from Pascal Siakam in the fourth quarter of Game 5. In the previous loss, he attempted only one shot during that period—a result of limited playing time, OKC’s defense, and a lack of ball movement from the Pacers, which spelled disaster for Indiana.
“That can’t happen,” Carlisle emphasized. “If we’re not utilizing him, he needs to touch the ball more. His experience has significantly contributed to our growth over the past two years. We must ensure he gets more than one shot in the fourth quarter.”
2. **Containment of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander:**
This is an obvious focal point, especially since Gilgeous-Alexander rebounded well after a subpar Game 3 performance.
3. **Turner’s Contributions Needed:**
Although Turner excelled defensively at the end of Game 3, his offensive output (particularly his three-point shooting, going 4-for-20) and rebounding (nine rebounds over the last three games) needs improvement. Turner has also been dealing with illness during this playoff series.
“I’m okay,” he said. “No excuses at this time of the year; it is what it is. People fall ill all the time. You can’t halt progress. Just take your medicine and keep going.”
The Pacers are counting on Obi Toppin to fill some of the big-man minutes. At times, Toppin has performed well, particularly in transition. However, at 6-foot-9, he faces a size disadvantage and can make mistakes.
4. **Haliburton’s Aggression for Four Quarters:**
“It’s going to be a challenging game to win,” noted Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard. “We need to stay connected and withstand the crowd’s energy and momentum. It won’t be easy.”
It never is, especially in the Finals. The Pacers’ 7-3 postseason road record might suggest otherwise, but they’ll need to secure an eighth win to compete against OKC.
“We’ve been here before,” asserted Pacers swingman Benedict Mathurin. “We’ve achieved victories here before. For us, it’s a clean slate. All we need to do is win the next game.”
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Shaun Powell has reported on the NBA for over 25 years. You can reach him via email, view his archives, and follow him on social media.
The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the NBA, its teams, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
