The dust has finally settled. If you’ve spent the last few months wondering when is NBA Finals 2025 because you were planning a watch party or just trying to clear your calendar, well, we’ve crossed the finish line. It’s actually 2026 now, and looking back at that June schedule feels like a fever dream.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander basically cemented his legacy in that seven-game war.
Let’s be real. Most people expected the Boston Celtics to just walk back into the Finals and flick away the competition like a bothersome fly. That didn’t happen. Instead, we got a matchup that honestly nobody saw coming back in October: the Oklahoma City Thunder versus the Indiana Pacers.
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The 2025 NBA Finals Schedule That Was
The NBA Finals 2025 kicked off on June 5, 2025.
It was a Thursday. Everyone thought the Thunder would steamroll, but Indiana had other plans. If you missed the specific dates or need to settle an argument about who played when, here is how that grueling June unfolded:
- Game 1: June 5 — Pacers stunned the world with a 111-110 win in OKC.
- Game 2: June 8 — Thunder bounced back, 123-107.
- Game 3: June 11 — Indiana took it back at home, 116-107.
- Game 4: June 13 — A Friday night classic where OKC leveled the series 111-104.
- Game 5: June 16 — OKC defended home court, 120-109.
- Game 6: June 19 — Pacers refused to die, forcing a Game 7 with a 108-91 blowout.
- Game 7: June 22 — The finale. OKC took the crown, 103-91.
Seven games.
The series literally stretched from June 5 all the way to June 22. It was the first time we’ve seen a Game 7 in the Finals since LeBron and the Cavs did the impossible back in 2016. Honestly, the tension in that Paycom Center during Game 7 was thick enough to cut with a knife.
Why the Timing of the 2025 Finals Mattered
The NBA has this habit of keeping the Finals start date fixed regardless of how fast the Conference Finals end. This year was no different. Even though the Thunder wrapped up their series against Minnesota in five games, they had to sit around and wait for the Pacers to finish off the Knicks in six.
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That "rest vs. rust" debate was all over the sports talk shows.
The league officially set the NBA Finals 2025 start for June 5 to accommodate the massive TV machine that is ABC. They need those primetime slots. They need the lead-up.
But there’s a nuance here most casual fans missed. Because the series went the full distance to June 22, it pushed the NBA Draft right up against the celebrations. It’s a chaotic turnaround for front offices. One day you're dumping champagne on your head; the next, you're in a war room trying to figure out which 19-year-old is going to help you repeat.
Misconceptions About the 2025 Path
A lot of folks thought the 2024-25 season would be the "Year of the Celtics" again. Or maybe the Nuggets.
But the Western Conference was a meat grinder. The Thunder finished the regular season with a staggering 68-14 record. You don't see that often. They weren't just lucky; they were a juggernaut that stayed healthy while everyone else was nursing hamstrings and rolled ankles.
On the other side, the Pacers being the 4-seed and making the Finals was a total "bracket buster" move. They knocked out the Bucks, then the Cavs, and finally the Knicks. By the time they hit the Finals on June 5, they were the ultimate underdogs.
Key Factors for the 2025 Season
- Health: OKC stayed remarkably intact.
- The Home Court: Having Game 7 in Oklahoma City was the deciding factor.
- The MVP Factor: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn't just win the regular season MVP; he grabbed the Finals MVP too.
What’s Next for the League?
Now that we’re in 2026, the focus has shifted to whether OKC can turn this into a dynasty. The 2025 Finals showed us that the "old guard" (LeBron, Steph, KD) is officially passing the torch. The Lakers and Warriors didn't even make deep runs.
If you’re looking forward, the 2026 Finals are already being projected for a June 4 start.
Your Actionable Next Steps:
- Review the 2025 Stats: If you're a bettor or a fantasy nerd, look at how OKC's defensive rotations handled Indiana’s high-octane offense. It’s a blueprint for the 2026 season.
- Check the 2026 Futures: As of January 13, 2026, the Thunder are +115 favorites to repeat. If you think they can do it again, now is the time to look at those lines before the playoffs start in April.
- Mark Your 2026 Calendar: The regular season ends April 12, 2026. The play-in starts April 14. Don't get caught wondering about dates at the last minute again.