Basketball fans always love a good "run it back" story. There is something satisfying about seeing the same two juggernauts trade blows two years in a row, like the old Cavs-Warriors era or the classic Lakers-Celtics wars. But if you’re looking for an NBA finals rematch remaining teams update for 2026, I've got some news that might sting a little. Honestly, the chances of seeing the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers meet again in June are looking slimmer than a rookie's paycheck.
Life comes at you fast in the NBA. Just six months ago, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was hoisting the Bill Russell Trophy after a grueling seven-game battle against Indy. It was the first time we saw two small-market teams go the distance like that in decades. But as we cross the midway point of the 2025-26 season, the "rematch" dream is hitting some major reality checks.
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The Thunder are still the kings of the mountain
Let's start with the champs. Oklahoma City isn't just "remaining" in the hunt; they are the hunt. As of mid-January 2026, the Thunder are sitting comfortably at 35-7. That's an 83% win rate. SGA is playing like a guy who wants a second MVP trophy to keep his first one company, averaging over 30 points a night.
What makes OKC so scary is that they didn't just sit on their hands after winning it all. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren have taken another leap. They’re still young, they’re still on rookie-scale contracts (mostly), and they play defense like their lives depend on it. If you’re betting on one half of the rematch to hold up their end of the bargain, it’s definitely these guys. They are the massive favorites to come out of the West again, and frankly, it’s hard to see who stops them unless Nikola Jokic goes supernova in a seven-game series.
Indiana's nightmare season
Now, here is where the NBA finals rematch remaining teams conversation gets depressing. The Indiana Pacers are currently 9-32. Yes, you read that right. They are 15th in the Eastern Conference.
It’s been a total disaster in Indy. The turning point was Game 7 of the 2025 Finals—the very night they lost the title. Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles in the first quarter of that game. We all hoped he’d be back for the start of this season, but recovery has been slow, and he hasn't looked like himself.
Then you’ve got the Myles Turner situation. The long-time Pacer finally moved on, heading to the Milwaukee Bucks in the offseason. Without their defensive anchor and with their superstar floor general sidelined, the Pacers have cratered. They aren't just "remaining" teams in the hunt; they are basically playing for a high draft pick at this point.
Why the East looks totally different now
If the Pacers aren't making it back, who is? The Eastern Conference has turned into a absolute meatgrinder.
The Detroit Pistons are the shock of the league. Led by Cade Cunningham, they’ve jumped to the top of the standings with a 29-10 record. People forgot how much talent was rotting there, but it’s all clicking now. Then you have the New York Knicks. They won the NBA Cup back in December, and Jalen Brunson is playing out of his mind. They’ve got Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns. They look like the most "complete" team in the East.
Even the Boston Celtics, despite some injury bugs of their own, are sitting right there at the #2 seed. The path back to the Finals for a team like Indiana—even if they got healthy tomorrow—is blocked by three or four teams that are significantly better than they were a year ago.
The "Rematch" that might actually happen
Since the Thunder-Pacers sequel is likely cancelled, what rematches could we see?
If you look at the current bracket projections, a Thunder vs. Knicks Finals feels like the heavyweight bout we deserve. Or maybe a rematch of the 2025 Western Conference Finals between OKC and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Anthony Edwards isn't exactly thrilled about how last year ended, and the Wolves are currently 4th in the West, just a few games back from the lead.
- OKC Thunder: 1st in West (35-7) - Extremely likely to return.
- Indiana Pacers: 15th in East (9-32) - Virtually zero chance of return.
- Detroit Pistons: 1st in East (29-10) - The new challenger.
- New York Knicks: 2nd in East (25-15) - The heavy favorites for the East crown.
What to watch for in the second half
We’re heading toward the trade deadline in February, and that usually shakes things up. If a team like the Denver Nuggets or the San Antonio Spurs makes a big move for a veteran wing, the West could get interesting. Victor Wembanyama is already dragging the Spurs into the #2 seed spot, which is honestly terrifying for the rest of the league.
Basically, if you’re a Pacers fan, this season is about Cooper Flagg or whatever top prospect you can snag in the lottery. If you're a Thunder fan, you're just counting down the days until the playoffs start.
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The idea of an NBA finals rematch remaining teams scenario is a fun "what if," but the reality of the 82-game grind usually has other plans. Injuries, trades, and the sudden rise of teams like the Pistons have shifted the landscape too much. We aren't getting a repeat of 2025. We're getting something entirely new, and honestly, that might be better for the game.
What you should do next:
- Keep an eye on the January 23rd matchup where the Thunder play the Pacers. It’ll be a somber reminder of what last June looked like compared to now.
- Watch the Spurs and Pistons standings. These two young teams are the real "disruptors" that have killed the chances of a traditional rematch.
- Check the injury reports for Tyrese Haliburton; his return to form is the only thing that could even remotely save Indy's dignity this year.