The 2025 NBA Playoffs resume tonight as the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder host the fourth-seeded Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Both teams are chasing history: the Thunder for their first championship since relocating from Seattle, and the Pacers for their first title in franchise history.
The Pacers are the third hottest team since January 1, with a .708 winning percentage — behind the Boston Celtics and, of course, OKC.
Updated 2025 NBA Playoff Bracket
With that midseason course shift in mind, the Pacers’ deep playoff run shouldn’t have been so unexpected. Nonetheless, this postseason has seen more than its fair share of upsets.
The Thunder are the only top-two seed to have made it past the Conference Semifinals. Their path to the Finals included an expected first-round sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies, a gritty seven-game series win over the Denver Nuggets, and a five-game dismantling of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals.
The Pacers, meanwhile, have shocked the NBA. As a four seed, they upset the Milwaukee Bucks in five, overpowered the injury-addled Cleveland Cavaliers in another five, and closed out the New York Knicks in six.
Their pace, ball movement, and bench depth overwhelmed even the most defensive-minded teams. They now return to the Finals for the first time since 2000.
The updated 2025 NBA Playoffs bracket ahead of Thursday’s NBA Finals Game 1 between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Pacers vs. Thunder: Game 1 Preview
The 2025 Finals pit two fast-paced teams with very different strengths.
Indiana thrives on depth and adaptability. They’ve had seven different players hit double figures in multiple playoff games. But their Achilles heel is the lack of a dependable late-game closer. Haliburton has shown flashes of brilliance — including a 32-point triple-double — but he’s also vanished in key games. His inconsistency could be the determining factor in this series, especially with OKC’s unrelenting defense.
By contrast, Oklahoma City is built around MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has been unstoppable all season and postseason. He attacks efficiently, draws double teams, and plays All-NBA defense. His remarkable consistency gives the Thunder a massive edge late in games and over the course of a series.
OKC swept the regular season series 2–0. They won 120–114 in Indiana and blew out the Pacers 132–111 in Oklahoma City. In those two games:
The Thunder averaged 126 points, shot over 40% from three, and won the turnover battle.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 45 and 33 points, carving up Indiana’s defense.
Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams provided efficient scoring and strong perimeter defense.
Indiana shot just 31.5% from deep and was outscored heavily in transition.
The Pacers may be deep, but the Thunder are deeper — and far more disciplined on defense. They apply relentless ball pressure, convert steals into easy buckets, and can match Indiana’s tempo without losing control.
Rick Carlisle’s ability to adjust game-to-game gives Indiana a puncher’s chance. It’ll be interesting to see what he has up his sleeve.
But unless Haliburton becomes a consistent force, or someone like Siakam carries the load every night, it’s hard to see Indiana keeping pace over a seven-game series.
Game Prediction: Thunder by 10.
Series Prediction: Thunder in 5.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers: NBA Finals Schedule
Here is the complete schedule for the 2025 NBA Finals:
Game 1: Thursday, June 5, 2025, 8:30 PM Eastern — Indiana Pacers at Oklahoma City Thunder | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK | TICKETS
Game 2: Sunday, June 8, 2025, 8:00 PM Eastern — Indiana Pacers at Oklahoma City Thunder | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK | TICKETS
Game 3: Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 8:30 PM Eastern — Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN | TICKETS
Game 4: Friday, June 13, 2025, 8:30 PM Eastern — Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN | TICKETS
Game 5 (if necessary): Monday, June 16, 2025, 8:30 PM Eastern — Indiana Pacers at Oklahoma City Thunder | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK | TICKETS
Game 6 (if necessary): Thursday, June 19, 2025, 8:30 PM Eastern — Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN | TICKETS
Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, June 22, 2025, 8:00 PM Eastern — Indiana Pacers at Oklahoma City Thunder | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK | TICKET