The Indiana Pacers racked up an unlikely 18 first-half turnovers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, which was more than their made shots against the Oklahoma City Thunder’s home floor defense
21:51 ET, 05 Jun 2025Updated 22:31 ET, 05 Jun 2025
The Pacers had 18 first half turnovers against OKC in Game 1 of the NBA Finals
The Indiana Pacers entered Game 1 of the NBA Finals, hoping to shock the world as underdogs against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Instead, they stumbled over themselves and committed 19 turnovers before halftime in front of a sold-out crowd wearing unified white-out t-shirts supporting their franchise at the Paycom Center.
The Pacers’ 19 first-half turnovers exceeded their 15 field goals made in the half and were the most in NBA Finals history, dating back 25 years. They entered the night averaging 12.7 turnovers per game throughout the playoffs, but the Thunder’s focused defense forced 11 first-half steals against a team led by Tyrese Haliburton, typically known for its ball protection and efficiency.
Aaron Nesmith and Myles Turner led the Pacers with four turnovers each, followed by Obi Toppin’s three turnovers. Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard added two turnovers each, while Bennedict Mathurin, Pascal Siakam, and backup point guard TJ McConnell all registered one.
Check out our 2025 NBA Finals predictions, including postseason winners and losers.
READ MORE: Thunder claim first title in NBA 2K simulation as Pacers’ Finals curse continuesREAD MORE: 2025 NBA Finals predictions for Thunder vs Pacers, postseason winners and losers
Toppin earned three turnovers in his first five minutes with a personal foul, one rebound, and zero points to start the game. The high flyer found himself at the center of the team’s Game 1 criticism as frustrated Pacers fans weren’t scared to voice their unfiltered opinions of his first-half performance.
The Indiana forward logged 14 minutes in the first half and managed six points before the break, hitting a three late in the first quarter and another to open the second. On X, One user wrote, “Get Obi Toppin off the floor.” Another added, “Get him off the court,” after committing a turnover less than one minute into being substituted into the game for Nesmith. A third NBA fan wrote, “Obi Toppin is 100 percent not ready for Game 1 so far.”
The Thunder seemingly had everything clicking on all cylinders offensively. Even Lu Dort made 5 of their 9 three-pointers after shooting 30 percent from the 3-point line in the playoffs. OKC shot 42. 9 percent from distance and scored 57 first-half points compared to the Pacers’ 45.
The Oklahoma City Thunder wore all-white during Game 1 of the NBA Finals
As the Pacers’ turnover count rose to 22 by the start of the fourth quarter, the franchise still conceded only nine points from their mistakes. The Thunder managed just five transition points despite 12 first-half steals and instead dominated in the paint with 30 points down low to open up a lead as large as 14.
More to come in this story…