Thunder vs. Pacers: What to expect in the NBA Finals
The 2025 NBA Finals have arrived, and basketball fans are in for a matchup few saw coming at the outset of the season. The top-seeded and seemingly unstoppable Oklahoma City Thunder meet the gritty and resilient Indiana Pacers. Regardless of the outcome, a new team will win their first-ever championship this season. Let's look at what this Finals means for the future of the NBA.
OKC: A Young NBA Powerhouse
Make no mistake: the Oklahoma City Thunder aren't just “good.” They were the best and top-seeded team in the 2024-2025 regular season. Ending regulation with an impressive 68-14 record, the Thunder boasted an average margin of victory of nearly 13 points per game, surpassing even the legendary 1971-72 Lakers.
The key player in their historic run has been Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was recently announced as this season's MVP. SGA has become an elite two-way powerhouse and he leads the league with an average of 32.7 points per game in the regular season. Despite being a young team, OKC has built a deep roster primed for championship contention. Other key players include Jalen Williams and rookie standout Chet Holmgren, who contribute strongly defensively, especially when it comes to rim protection.
Though there were doubters, the 2025 playoffs have only reinforced OKC’s elite status as a team. They made quick work of Memphis in the opening round, survived a tough seven-game series against the loaded Denver Nuggets, and then dispatched Minnesota in just five. Frankly, no team looks more complete in this league.
The Pacers' Grit and Hopes
Contrary to Oklahoma City's season-long supremacy, the Indiana Pacers' journey is the classic sports underdog story. After stumbling to a 10-15 start in the season, the majority of analysts and media personalities wrote the team off as a legitimate contender. But great teams find ways to peak at the right moment. With a mix of resilience and luck, the Pacers turned things around, notching 50 wins and crashing the postseason party.
In the postseason, the team has put up some of the most intense fights, leading to top-tier basketball games. Their playoff path required grit: upsetting a favored Milwaukee Bucks team in six games, taking down the highly talented and top-seeded Cavaliers, and outlasting the hardworking New York Knicks in an exhilarating Eastern Conference Finals.
Click here to read my analysis on the ECF - New York vs Indiana.
The X-factor of the Pacers’ run is widely considered to be Tyrese Haliburton. After being named the league's most "Overrated Player" by this anonymous NBA player survey, he has time and again made crucial moves to win games in crunch time. He has also racked up an impressive 156 playoff assists. Add Pascal Siakam's championship-tested scoring and Myles Turner's defensive abilities, and this team suddenly looks more than capable of shocking the league.
The Paul George Connection
One interesting component that makes this matchup even more fascinating is Paul George. He was traded from Indiana to Oklahoma City in 2017, which created a domino effect that rewired both franchises. Indiana flipped Domantas Sabonis (acquired in the George deal) for Haliburton. Meanwhile, OKC's blockbuster trade sending George to the Clippers brought them SGA and multiple draft picks that enabled them to build this current young roster.
It's rare to see a single player's trade entangle and change the dynamic of two contenders. Both teams now chase their first-ever championship with legacies indirectly shaped by that initial deal.
Prediction and Final Thoughts: A Playoffs to Remember
This postseason has been a reminder of why we watch the NBA. We've seen the consistency of legends like LeBron James and Stephen Curry, as well as a show out by the new generation - led by SGA and Haliburton. We saw Jokic and the Nuggets come close, only to be outlasted by the Thunder.
As we enter the NBA Finals, Oklahoma City is the clear favorite. They've been invincible all season long. But to completely overlook Indiana, like most have throughout the year, would be a mistake. This team has the kind of chemistry, fight, and grit that can surpass expectations.
All eyes will be on the matchup between SGA and Haliburton - two guards who exemplify high-IQ basketball plays. Down low, Holmgren vs. Turner will be an interesting matchup. We will see Holmgren's length and shot-blocking against Turner's physicality and experience.
One way or another, a new champion will emerge, and the future of the NBA will remember it. Fans should soak it all in; history is being made, one game at a time.