NBA Finals Preview: Thunder and Pacers Set to Battle for the Title

2 teams. 7 games. 1 title. The title of NBA World Champions is up for grabs over the next 2 weeks, and both the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder will be hoping they can clinch it. They have had wildly different paths to the finals, with OKC as the firm favourites staying a dominant powerhouse all year. The Pacers, despite being more of an underdog, have peaked at the perfect time, staying consistent throughout the playoffs so far. Both are now 4 wins away from claiming that coveted trophy, and bringing back success for their respective cities.

OKC’s journey to the playoffs themselves was very impressive, with them achieving the number 1 seed in the East, and the best win/lose record in the league. Their team is packed with star quality as Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ‘thundered’ through the season, achieving the most points in the NBA. Another of their stars is Chet Holmgren, 7’1” Centre, number 2 pick in the 2022 draft, as well as Jalen Williams, the 12th pick of that year, who has recorded 21.6 points per game this season.

Comparatively, the Pacers entered the playoffs with an underdog narrative, achieving the 4th seed in the Eastern conference, due in part to struggles with consistency early in the season, thanks to injuries to Aaron Nesmith, Andrew Nemhart and Ben Shephard. Although they were poor on the road, they played well at home, eventually achieving 50 wins and 32 losses. Led by star man Tyrese Haliburton, flanked by 3 time all-star Pascal Siakam, and backed up by Obi Toppin and Miles Turner, Indiana also has something to boast about.

All eyes will be on the contest between Gilgeous-Alexander and Haliburton

The playoffs so far have been a different story. Indiana have been the most consistent, beating the Milwaukee Bucks, last year’s finalists, 4 games to 1 in the first round, and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the number 1 seed in the East, also 4-1. Then, in the Eastern Conference finals against the heavily favoured New York Knicks, they started with an outstanding 2-0 run away from home in Madison Square Garden. They won the series 4-2, after a masterclass from Haliburton in game 4, achieving a historic 32 points, 15 assists, 12 rebounds, 4 steals, and 0 turnovers, making him the only player in NBA history to drop 30/15/10 with 0 turnovers in a playoff game. To put it in context, there are only 8 games in NBA history in which a player had 30+ points, 15+ assists and 0 turnovers, and Tyrese Haliburton is to thank for 3 of them. Now, after conquering the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Pacers are heading to the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years. As head coach Rick Carlisle put it, “in 49 states, it’s just basketball, but this is Indiana,” showing just how much it would mean for their fans.

The Thunder have had a rockier journey through the playoffs, although they opened with a dominant sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies, asserting their top-seed status with a 4-0 series win. But the real test came in the second round against the Denver Nuggets. In a 7 game showdown between 2 MVP tipped players in SGA and Nikola Jokic, the series went the distance until a winner was found. Ultimately, it was the Thunder who emerged victorious, leading them on to the Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves. This was a less difficult challenge, and it only took them 5 games to be named Western Champions, sending them through to their match up against the Pacers.

This year’s NBA Finals promise to deliver drama, intensity, and unforgettable moments

And what a match it will be. All eyes will be on the contest between Gilgeous-Alexander and Haliburton. So far in the playoffs, Shai has averaged 29.8 points and 6.9 assists per game for OKC, with Tyrese on 18.8 points, and 9.8 assists. Both are not without their criticisms; in just April of 2025, Haliburton was voted “most overrated player” according to a poll of anonymous players by The Athletic. Equally, SGA has consistently been called out online, being dubbed a “free throw merchant” by many rival fans.

Whilst both teams look to their stars in times of need like this, the Pacers have been accused of relying too heavily on Tyrese Haliburton, as they as they often struggle to generate consistent offense when he’s off the floor or tightly defended. In contrast, OKC, despite having the 2nd youngest team in an NBA final since 1955, at an average of 25.6 years old, exude synergy and chemistry as a team, which is evident on the court. Head coach Mark Daignault praised this, stating, “They’re competitive, and most of all they’re team first. They embody everything it means to be a team.” This comparison between the 2 teams could be decisive, but if Haliburton can keep up his superhuman form, Pacers fans will argue they have nothing to worry about, especially as he has led them to 1st in field goal and free throw percentage so far in the playoffs.

Whilst the franchise did win a championship in 1979, under the name Seattle Supersonics, since moving to Oklahoma, the state has seen no glory for their basketball team. Equally, Indiana have never won a championship, so both teams will be hungry to take the title home with them.

With 2 talented rosters, 2 passionate fanbases, and everything on the line, this year’s NBA Finals promise to deliver drama, intensity, and unforgettable moments. Whether it’s the youth and balance of OKC or the momentum of an underdog story in the Pacers squad, history is waiting to be written. 1 team will rise. 1 city will celebrate. And after a potential 7 games, only one will be able to call themselves NBA World Champions.