Why Indiana’s Offense Stumbled Against Oklahoma City
Basketball, at its highest level, demands precision and adaptability. Under the guidance of head coach Carlisle, the Indiana Pacers have proven they can navigate this balance brilliantly—until they faced the flaming hot Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2025 NBA Finals.
Indiana's Offensive Identity Shift
Throughout the season, the Pacers exceeded expectations with an offense defined by pace, spacing, and decisiveness. Following the All-Star break, Indiana led the league in offensive rating, largely thanks to Tyrese Haliburton’s unprecedented clutch plays and Pascal Siakam’s mid-range dominance.
But against the Thunder’s elite defense, the Pacers found their shot profile forced dramatically outside their comfort zone:
Two-point makes dropped significantly—from 30 per game at 56.6% to just 22 per game at 51.8%.
The reliance on three-pointers rose sharply, accounting for 48% of shot attempts, up from their typical 40%. This reactive adjustment diluted their efficiency, turning what was usually an organized offense into a rushed perimeter gamble.
The Thunder's Defensive Grip
Oklahoma City entered the Finals with the league’s best playoff defense, an identity that grew sharper as the stakes rose:
Game 5 was illustrative: OKC forced 23 turnovers and converted them into 32 points—a crippling statistic for an Indiana team built around precision.
Haliburton (known to be a paragon of ball security) logged 20 turnovers across five Finals games, largely attributed to OKC’s deployment of Lu Dort and Alex Caruso.
Bench Battles and Inconsistency
Depth has been a significant factor in Indiana's successful playoff run. Their bench shone spectacularly in Game 3, with a 49–18 advantage reminiscent of some of the most iconic playoff surges in history. But winning basketball needs sustained excellence, not singular bursts:
After their Game 3 heroics, the Indiana bench disappeared in the most critical moments of Game 5, enabling OKC to dominate rotation minutes.
X-FACTOR Players Under the Microscope
Tyrese Haliburton: He sure delivered clutch performances, including a Game 1 buzzer-beater. However, his impact was diminished due to leg fatigue and OKC's play style that yielded increased turnovers and declining assist numbers.
Pascal Siakam: Normally Indiana's interior anchor, Siakam's inside-the-arc scoring fell drastically. OKC's effective defensive schemes denied him comfort and rhythm.
Bench Mob: Bennedict Mathurin contributed a 27-point explosion in Game 3, just to completely misstep in Game 5. Other bench players like TJ McConnell failed to provide steady support to push the scoreboard in Indiana's favor.
Advantage OKC?
The Thunder have prioritized a tactical approach that repeatedly disrupts Indiana's rhythm. They combine physicality with aggressive defensive switching and timely double-teams. While Coach Carlisle's adjustments proved effective during the regular season, they faced limitations in the pressure cooker of Finals basketball. The Thunder were consistently a step ahead and adjusted their defensive strategies faster than the Pacers could respond.
Looking Ahead: Can Indiana Adjust?
Game 6 returns to Indianapolis, where the Pacers hold a dominant 9–1 playoff record. This is a golden opportunity to make a strong comeback and turn the tide in their favor. To avoid elimination, the Pacers must:
Reestablish interior presence to regain their proven balanced scoring approach.
Prioritize ball security (reducing turnovers) to neutralize Oklahoma City's transition offense.
Demand consistent contributions—especially offensively—from their talented but volatile bench.
The Pacers have thrived all season in controlled chaos. Yet, facing a disciplined opponent like OKC in the Finals, Indiana must either master the chaos or watch the Thunder celebrate on their court.