The 2025 NBA Finals are set. The Oklahoma City Thunder enter the championship round as a heavy favorite over the Indiana Pacers. While some might see it as boring without the big-market glitz and glamor, the best offense and defense squaring off always provide an interesting dynamic.
Still days away from Game 1, Jalen Williams sees some similarities between the Thunder and Pacers. Sure, OKC was a winning machine in the regular season and a buzzsaw in the West playoffs and Indiana got hot at the right time, but both teams have more in common than the average fan might think.
“They play fast and that’s what fuels their whole identity. They’re really talented. Mark made a really good point that they are feeling the exact same way we feel,” Williams said. “They’ve had to win three series. We’ve had to win three series. They’re coming in extremely confident. We’re coming in extremely confident.”
The Pacers punched their ticket in a Game 6 blowout win over the New York Knicks. With Reggie Miller in the building, Indiana ensured it wouldn’t flirt with a blown 3-1 series lead as it made the NBA Finals for the second time in franchise history and first time since 2000.
Williams sees how close the Pacers are and looks back at the bond of his OKC squad. The Thunder have shown throughout the years how close they are as a group. It helps being in similar stages of their careers. While it might rub opposing players and fanbases the wrong way, that type of synergy has translated to on-court domination.
“I was watching Myles Turner’s interview yesterday and he made a really good point. I think teams that get along well and actually have really good chemistry are starting to show more,” Williams said. “I think the NBA is just naturally getting younger. I think we’re in that transition now. I think it’s cool we have two small-market teams playing in this big stage.”
Like the Thunder, the Pacers have depth on their side. Tyrese Haliburton might be their franchise face, but Pascal Siakam’s Eastern Conference Finals MVP award showed that they could beat you in multiple ways. Indiana will rely on its outside shooting and playmaking to pull off a historic upset.