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The stage is set for the 2025 NBA Finals as the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder prepare to battle in Game 1 tonight. Both teams have navigated tough postseason paths, and now they’ll face off in a compelling showdown between two young, ascending cores looking to bring a title home.
Let’s review how each squad reached this point and what fans can expect when the NBA Finals begin at 8:30 PM ET.
The Indiana Pacers enter this series after a grueling but impressive playoff run through the Eastern Conference. As the No. 4 seed, Indiana began its postseason campaign with a statement victory over the No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks in just five games. Milwaukee, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, had been considered a dark horse title contender until Damian Lillard tore his Achilles, but the Pacers’ balance and pace proved too much. Tyrese Haliburton orchestrated the offense brilliantly, while Pascal Siakam provided veteran leadership and versatility on both ends.
In the second round, the Pacers faced an even bigger challenge: the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. Cleveland had one of the league’s best defenses and an elite backcourt headlined by Donovan Mitchell, but Indiana dismantled them in five games. Siakam was especially dominant in that series, exploiting mismatches and using his Finals experience from Toronto to guide Indiana’s younger players through high-pressure moments. The Cavaliers struggled to contain the Pacers’ ball movement and spacing, and Indiana’s depth shined through, with strong contributions from Myles Turner, Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith.
The Eastern Conference Finals brought a clash with the red-hot New York Knicks, who were riding their own wave of momentum. New York had eliminated the Celtics in the second round and looked poised to reach the Finals for the first time since 1999. But Indiana’s composure and execution down the stretch of close games made the difference. The Pacers closed out the Knicks in six games, with Siakam again leading the charge. His 31-point performance in Game 6 earned him Eastern Conference Finals MVP honors, and his veteran presence has become a defining factor in this team’s postseason identity.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have marched through the Western Conference with confidence and dominance. As the No. 1 seed, OKC began its run by sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round. The Thunder’s youth and athleticism were on full display, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander playing like a superstar and Chet Holmgren proving he’s more than ready for the playoff spotlight in his first full season.
The second round put the Thunder against Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets. Despite Jokić being fantastic, OKC’s perimeter defense and relentless pace wore the Nuggets down. Alex Caruso’s defense and SGA’s scoring proved too much, and Oklahoma City won in seven games, announcing themselves as the top title contenders.
Their latest test came in the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves—a physical, defensive-minded squad that had beaten the Lakers and Warriors. While Minnesota won Game 3, OKC responded with authority, winning the next two games to take the series in five. The Thunder’s depth—featuring standout performances from Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso—was instrumental in breaking through Minnesota’s elite defense. The Thunder were just the better, and now they look to win their first NBA Finals Championship in franchise history.
Now, these two fast-rising teams meet on the NBA’s biggest stage. Game 1 is in Oklahoma City, where the Thunder have enjoyed a strong home-court advantage throughout the playoffs with an 8-1 record. This series is a refreshing contrast of styles and storylines: the Pacers bring a high-octane offense centered around unselfish ball movement, while the Thunder boast one of the league’s stingiest defenses and a composed, methodical offensive game built around Gilgeous-Alexander’s poise and shot creation.
One of the key matchups to watch in Game 1 will be how the Pacers defend SGA. If Haliburton and Nembhard can at least slow him down on the perimeter and force secondary scorers to take on more responsibility, Indiana’s chances of stealing one on the road significantly increase. Meanwhile, the Thunder must contain Indiana’s transition game and avoid foul trouble, particularly with Turner’s ability to stretch the floor, pulling Holmgren away from the paint.
Both teams have plenty of weapons, including Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard, but Game 1 will likely come down to who sets the tone early. Expect OKC to lean on its home crowd and defensive intensity, while Indiana will try to get out and run, using their speed and offensive flow to disrupt the Thunder’s rhythm.
Our pick for Game 1 is for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to score 34+ points. He’s been the most consistent player on either team this postseason and will be eager to set the tone on basketball’s biggest stage.
Dylan has had a love for sports since he was a kid. Four years ago, he decided to dive into the sports content-creating industry specializing in Fantasy Football, NFL and NBA. He has since had his work published on sites that include Fantasy Alarm, Fansided, and Fantasy Six Pack.