If you were watching the NBA back in June 2025, you know the atmosphere felt different. The Paycom Center was literally shaking. People don't realize how close the Indiana Pacers actually came to pulling off one of the greatest upsets in modern basketball history. It wasn't just another series. It was the moment Oklahoma City finally cashed in their years of hoarding draft picks for a shiny gold trophy.
The Oklahoma City Thunder v Indiana Pacers matchup in the 2025 NBA Finals was a collision of two completely different philosophies. You had the Thunder, a team built on surgical efficiency and length, against a Pacers squad that basically played like they were in a track meet every single night.
Most experts didn't give Indiana a chance. They were wrong.
Why the Thunder-Pacers Rivalry is Actually Personal Now
Before that seven-game war, these two teams weren't exactly natural rivals. They’re in different conferences. They only see each other twice a year in the regular season. But something changed during the 2024-25 campaign.
Oklahoma City swept the regular-season series, winning 120-114 in December and 132-111 in late March. At that point, the Thunder felt invincible. They finished the season with a staggering 68-14 record. Honestly, they were bullying the Eastern Conference, going 29-1 against those teams.
Then the Finals happened.
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Indiana, led by Rick Carlisle, didn't care about the regular season stats. They walked into OKC for Game 1 and stunned everyone with a 111-110 win. Pascal Siakam was a monster that night, dropping 19 points and grabbing some crucial boards, while Tyrese Haliburton kept the engine running even when his shot wasn't falling. That one game changed the entire narrative of Oklahoma City Thunder v Indiana Pacers. It proved that OKC's "invincibility" was a myth if you could match their pace and force them into a shootout.
The Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Factor
You can't talk about this matchup without mentioning Shai. The man is a walking bucket. In Game 7 of those Finals—the biggest game in OKC history since the move from Seattle—he put up 29 points and 12 assists.
But it’s his consistency that scares people.
Earlier this season, on October 23, 2025, the two teams met again in Indianapolis. It was a double-overtime thriller. Shai finished with 55 points. Yes, 55. He was hitting shots from his knees, drawing fouls when there seemed to be no space, and basically demoralizing a very good Indiana defense.
The Tactical Chess Match: Daigneault vs. Carlisle
Mark Daigneault is a bit of a mad scientist. He’ll play lineups with five guys who are all 6'6" and can all pass. It’s a nightmare to guard because there's no "weak link" to hide your worst defender on.
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Indiana counters this with pure chaos.
They lead the league in pace almost every year. When you play the Pacers, you aren't just playing basketball; you’re running a marathon. In their October 2025 meeting, Indiana pushed the Thunder to the absolute brink, eventually losing 141-135 only after two extra periods. Bennedict Mathurin has turned into a legitimate star for them, putting up 36 points in that game.
What most people get wrong about this matchup is thinking it’s just about the stars. It isn't. It’s about the "connectors."
- Isaiah Hartenstein: His rim protection is the only reason OKC survives when Indiana starts driving the lane.
- T.J. McConnell: The guy is a pest. He changes the energy of the game the second he checks in for Indy.
- Jalen Williams: Often the "X-factor" who takes the pressure off Shai when the double teams come.
Looking Ahead: The Rematch on January 23, 2026
If you're looking for the next chapter of Oklahoma City Thunder v Indiana Pacers, mark your calendar for January 23. This is the first time the Pacers return to Oklahoma City for a regular-season game since losing Game 7 of the Finals there.
The vibes will be weird. The Thunder are sitting comfortably at the top of the West again, while the Pacers have had a bit of a rough start to the 2025-26 season, currently sitting at 9-31. Don't let that record fool you, though. They just beat the Celtics 98-96 on January 12. They still have that "giant killer" DNA.
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Key Stats to Watch
| Category | OKC Thunder (Season Avg) | Indiana Pacers (Season Avg) |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 122.4 | 110.8 |
| Field Goal % | 49.2% | 46.1% |
| Offensive Rating | 118.5 | 109.4 |
| Pace | 102.1 | 100.7 |
The Thunder are currently leading the league in defensive efficiency, mostly thanks to Chet Holmgren’s evolution as a shot-blocker. He’s averaging 1.8 blocks per game, but his presence alters way more shots than the box score shows. Indiana’s biggest challenge will be finding a way to score in the paint without getting swatted into the third row.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following this rivalry, here is how to actually watch the next game like an expert:
- Watch the First 6 Minutes: Indiana usually tries to "punch" the Thunder early with a high-speed transition game. If OKC is leading or tied after the first six minutes, they usually win.
- Monitor the Ajay Mitchell Minutes: The rookie has been a revelation for the Thunder. He’s averaging over 14 points a game and has become a knockdown shooter. If he's hitting, Indiana has to stretch their defense, which leaves Shai with massive lanes to the rim.
- The Siakam Post-Up: Indiana’s best chance is slowing the game down and letting Pascal Siakam work against smaller defenders. If the Pacers can force OKC into a half-court game, the odds shift in Indy's favor.
The history between these two is still being written, but after that 2025 Finals series, every time they step on the court together, it feels like a playoff game. The Thunder might have the rings, but the Pacers have the chip on their shoulder.
To stay ahead of the curve on this matchup, keep a close eye on the injury reports for Tyrese Haliburton. His hamstring issues have flared up occasionally, and without him at 100%, the Pacers struggle to maintain the "turbo" speed required to beat a team as deep as Oklahoma City.