The 2025 NBA Finals tips off with a fresh and exciting matchup as the Oklahoma City Thunder face off against the Indiana Pacers. This year’s championship series breaks from the era of superteams, spotlighting two franchises that have built through smart drafting, development, and team-first basketball.
For the Thunder, this marks a return to the NBA’s biggest stage for the first time since 2012. Led by newly crowned MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City is chasing its first title since the franchise’s lone championship in 1979, then known as the Seattle SuperSonics.
On the other side, the Indiana Pacers are back in the Finals for the first time in 25 years. After dispatching the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Pacers are just four wins away from their first-ever NBA championship.
Game 1 tips off on Thursday, June 5 in Oklahoma City, setting the stage for what could be one of the most compelling Finals matchups in recent memory.
Oklahoma City didn’t just emerge as a contender this season; they’ve looked like the team to beat from wire to wire. With a league-best 68–14 regular season record and the newly crowned MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder have surged through the playoffs with confidence and composure well beyond their years.
With home-court advantage and one of the league’s most balanced lineups, the Thunder enter the Finals as firm favorites, not just to win the series, but to set the tone for a new NBA era.
Indiana’s path to the Finals might not have been as dominant, but it’s arguably been just as impressive. As a lower seed in the East, the Pacers have carved their way through more experienced teams with a fast-paced offense, smart midseason additions, and gritty defense when it matters most.
While they’re underdogs in this series, Indiana has already defied expectations at every turn. With a dynamic backcourt and a fearless mentality, the Pacers won’t be overwhelmed by the moment.
The newly crowned NBA MVP is the heartbeat of this Thunder team. Averaging over 30 points per game with elite efficiency, SGA’s ability to create his own shot, dictate tempo, and defend at a high level makes him a complete two-way threat. He’s also the frontrunner for Finals MVP, and if OKC is to finish the job, it will almost certainly be on his shoulders.
Williams has blossomed into one of the league’s most versatile young wings. His defensive instincts, playmaking, and ability to take on tough assignments make him a crucial piece on both ends of the floor. He’s become a true X-factor for the Thunder in these playoffs.
Holmgren may be a rookie, but his impact is anything but small. His rim protection, perimeter shooting, and floor spacing give OKC a unique edge. While Indiana’s frontcourt’ll test him, Holmgren has already proven he can rise to the occasion.
A Swiss army knife for the Thunder, Giddey offers rebounding, vision, and secondary scoring. While not always the headline-grabber, his versatility gives OKC the flexibility to match up with a wide range of lineups.
The Pacers’ floor general and emotional leader. Haliburton’s vision and shot-making have been critical in Indiana’s run to the Finals. If the Pacers are going to pull off another upset, he’ll need to be the catalyst, controlling the tempo and exploiting mismatches in OKC’s defense.
A former NBA champion with Toronto, Siakam brings vital postseason experience to a young Pacers roster. He was named Eastern Conference Finals MVP for his consistency, leadership, and ability to deliver in big moments. Expect him to take on major scoring and defensive responsibilities.
Turner is a reliable shot-blocker and stretch big who will be pivotal in matching up against Holmgren. His ability to protect the rim and knock down threes could give Indiana the spacing they need to open up driving lanes for Haliburton and others.
A spark plug off the bench, Mathurin brings energy, aggression, and scoring punch. In a series where bench contributions could swing momentum, his impact shouldn’t be underestimated.
Indiana thrives in transition. They push the pace, space the floor, and rely on quick decision-making from Haliburton to generate open looks. But Oklahoma City isn’t easy to run on. The Thunder rank among the league’s best transition defenses and excel at slowing teams down, forcing them into half-court sets where their length and switching ability shine.
This clash of styles could define the series. If Indiana can speed the game up, they’ll have chances to get out ahead. If OKC keeps them in the half-court, their superior structure and defensive versatility could suffocate the Pacers' rhythm.
Indiana doesn’t have a direct answer for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. They may throw multiple defenders at him - Aaron Nesmith for length, Andrew Nembhard for pressure, even Siakam in certain switches - but none offer a perfect solution. OKC, meanwhile, can tailor their coverages to disrupt Haliburton, especially if he’s limited by nagging injuries.
If SGA consistently draws help and collapses the defense, it could unlock open looks for Williams, Holmgren, and OKC’s shooters—something Indiana will struggle to survive over a long series.
The Holmgren vs Turner matchup is fascinating. Both bigs can shoot, block shots, and switch onto wings. But while Turner has the edge in experience, Holmgren has shown flashes of being able to change a game with his length and instincts.
Siakam could be a wild card here if he can draw Holmgren away from the rim or force him into foul trouble; it could swing the interior battle in Indiana’s favor.
Oklahoma City’s rotation is deep and interchangeable. They can switch across four or even five positions at times, with Williams, Dort, Giddey, and Holmgren forming a flexible defensive core.
Indiana will need to be sharp with ball movement and avoid stagnation. When they’ve struggled this postseason, it’s often been against teams that force them into late-clock isolations, and that’s exactly where OKC thrives.
This is a young Thunder team; talented, well-coached, and remarkably poised. But, none of their core players have Finals experience. How they handle the moment, especially in close games, could determine whether this becomes a coronation or a lesson.
Mark Daigneault has done an excellent job guiding them through the playoffs with composure and adaptability. If that continues, OKC’s maturity might outpace even more experienced rosters.
Also worth watching: Lu Dort. Known for his perimeter defence, he’ll likely be tasked with slowing down Haliburton and pressuring Indiana’s shooters. His physicality and ability to knock down timely threes could tip key possessions.
Indiana has relied on key contributions off the bench all postseason, and that will need to continue. Bennedict Mathurin, in particular, brings a scoring burst that can change momentum. If he can provide 12 - 15 points per game efficiently, it will take pressure off Haliburton and Siakam.
Another key variable is three-point shooting. The Pacers don’t live or die by the deep ball, but they’ll need timely makes to keep up with OKC’s firepower. Players like Obi Toppin, Nembhard, and McConnell must be ready to contribute when the starters rest.
An unexpected travel delay caused by tornadoes in Oklahoma forced the Pacers to land in Tulsa and bus into the city ahead of Game 1. It’s a minor inconvenience, but in a tightly scheduled series, disruptions like this can have a ripple effect, especially early on.
The 2025 NBA Finals follow the standard 2-2-1-1-1 format, with the Oklahoma City Thunder holding home-court advantage thanks to their league-best 68–14 regular season record.
With Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 scheduled in Oklahoma City, the Thunder will look to set the tone early. The Pacers, however, have been road warriors all postseason and won’t shy away from the challenge of playing in a loud Paycom Center.
Indiana punches above its weight and steals a game or two, but Oklahoma City’s balance and star power prove decisive.
On paper, this looks like Oklahoma City’s moment. The Thunder have been the NBA’s most consistent and complete team all season, led by the league MVP, supported by a deep, flexible roster, and coached with discipline well beyond their years. They have home-court advantage, the defensive tools to disrupt Indiana’s rhythm, and a superstar in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who seems ready for the Finals spotlight.
That said, the Indiana Pacers aren’t just happy to be here. They've beaten the Bucks, the No. 1 Cavaliers, and the surging Knicks - all while playing fast, loose, and fearless basketball. With Haliburton’s creativity and Siakam’s experience, this team has the tools to make things uncomfortable for OKC if they can control pace and hit timely shots.
But ultimately, the gap in shot creation, defensive versatility, and overall depth may be too much to overcome.
Oddsmakers, such as BetMGM, have made the Thunder heavy favorites, opening the series at -700 to win it all, while the Pacers sit as longshots at +500. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Finals MVP odds at -550, a testament to his dominant postseason run.
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