A Small-Market Showdown: Pacers vs. Thunder in the 2025 NBA Finals

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On Thursday, June 5, the 2025 NBA Finals will commence with Game 1 between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder, two of the league's most dynamic yet underappreciated franchises. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, with live coverage on ABC. This matchup marks the culmination of a season in which both teams quietly dominated through efficient team play, depth, and superstar performances, despite receiving little attention on the national stage—neither team played on Christmas Day, a rarity for Finals contenders. The Thunder, led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, finished the regular season with a league-best 68 wins. Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 32.9 points and 6.3 assists per game, helping to establish Oklahoma City as a defensive powerhouse. The Thunder ranked first in the league in opponent steals and turnovers forced per game, a testament to their disciplined and relentless style of play.

Indiana, on the other hand, has surged through the postseason behind star point guard Tyrese Haliburton and veteran coach Rick Carlisle. Haliburton made headlines during the Eastern Conference Finals with a historic Game 4 performance: a triple-double featuring 32 points, 12 rebounds, and 15 assists.

Under Carlisle’s leadership, the Pacers lead the NBA in assists per game and rely heavily on ball movement and transition play. Ironically, these two franchises faced off on December 26, 2024, in a non-nationally televised game. At the time, the matchup seemed inconsequential—a quiet affair the day after the NBA’s marquee Christmas games. Yet that night offered a preview of the excellence to come, as Oklahoma City narrowly defeated Indiana 120–114 behind 45 points from Gilgeous-Alexander, including a clutch fourth-quarter performance.

While media markets and TV ratings often shape perceptions of importance in the NBA, the Pacers and Thunder have proven that elite basketball can come from overlooked cities. Their journey to the Finals serves as a reminder that success is measured not by exposure but by execution. With two intelligent, fast-paced, and deeply skilled teams meeting on the league’s biggest stage, the 2025 Finals promise a series rich in drama, strategy, and the hunger to defy expectations.