NBA Finals
(No. 1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (No. 4) Indiana Pacers
The NBA Finals are set, with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, taking on the Indiana Pacers, the No. 4 seed from the Eastern Conference. The Thunder have been viewed as title favorites all season long, ending the regular season with a league leading 68 wins and an elite scoring margin. Meanwhile, the Pacers have found momentum at the right time, after starting their season 9–14, they’ve surged through the playoffs with clutch performances and shooting.
Oklahoma City is seeking its first championship since relocating from Seattle, while Indiana is aiming to capture the franchise’s first-ever NBA title. The Thunder have been the league’s best defensive team throughout the season, while the Pacers have emerged as the top shooting team in the playoffs, putting together a series of dramatic, close-game wins.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder posted a league-best 68 wins during the regular season and have carried that dominance into the playoffs. Led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—who is averaging 29.8 points and 6.9 assists per game this postseason—Oklahoma City has been a powerhouse on both ends of the floor. They’ve recorded five playoff wins by at least 25 points, tied for the most in NBA history, and have outscored their opponents by more than 10 points per game through the first three rounds.
Defensively, the Thunder have been elite. After finishing the regular season as one of the top-ranked defensive teams, they’ve taken another step forward in the playoffs. Oklahoma City is forcing a league-high 18.0 turnovers per game and turning them into 23.8 points—both increases from their regular-season averages of 17.0 forced turnovers and 21.8 points off turnovers. They are generating more turnovers than any other team in the postseason, fueling their transition offense and helping them maintain their dominant run.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have relied on a deep bench and playing at a relentless pace for the full 48 minutes, which has fueled several comebacks throughout their playoff run. Their up-tempo style has consistently caught opponents off guard, forcing them into uncomfortable situations and uncharacteristic mistakes. Indiana is 7–1 in games decided by five points or fewer in the final five minutes, showing their ability to execute under pressure in clutch time.
Indiana’s elite offense has been led by Tyrese Haliburton, who is averaging 18.8 points, 9.8 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game in the postseason while also delivering in clutch moments. Pascal Siakam has also been a key force, earning Conference Finals MVP honors after posting three 30-point performances in the series against the New York Knicks.
