Basketball purists spent decades complaining about "superteams." Well, they finally got exactly what they asked for in June 2025. It was weird. It was loud. It was a chaotic seven-game marathon between two small-market rosters that basically nobody—aside from maybe a few die-hards in Broad Ripple or Bricktown—expected to be there when the season tipped off.
The Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers Finals wasn't just a series; it was a vibe shift for the entire NBA.
If you look at the betting odds from October 2024, this matchup had about a 1% chance of happening. Experts were too busy talking about the Celtics repeating or the Nuggets regaining their throne. Instead, we got a track meet.
The Chaos of the 2-2 Split
The series started with a punch to the mouth. Game 1 felt like a classic Pacers heist. OKC was up by 15 in the fourth quarter, looking every bit like the #1 seed they were. Then Tyrese Haliburton decided to ruin their night. He hit a bucket in the literal final second to steal a 111-110 win.
Honestly, the Thunder looked rattled.
But they didn't stay down. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—the man who basically lived at the free-throw line all season—went for 34 points in Game 2. The Thunder won that one 123-107. They were ruthless. They didn't just win; they strangled Indiana's passing lanes.
The momentum shifted back and forth like a pendulum. Indiana took Game 3 behind a massive 27-point night from Bennedict Mathurin. Then Game 4 happened. That was the turning point. SGA hit a stepback jumper over two defenders with two minutes left that felt like a dagger to Indiana’s soul. OKC escaped with a 111-104 win to tie it up.
Suddenly, it was a three-game season.
Jalen Williams and the Game 5 Explosion
Most people expected SGA to be the hero of Game 5. He was the MVP, after all. But Jalen Williams had other plans.
Williams dropped 40 points. 40.
It was one of those performances where the rim looks like the size of a hula hoop. He couldn't miss. Even when Pascal Siakam and TJ McConnell tried to drag Indiana back from an 18-point deficit, Williams just kept answering. The Pacers actually cut the lead to 95-93 at one point. It felt like another Indy comeback was brewing.
Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins—the kind of "glue guys" every championship team needs—hit two back-to-back threes that silenced the crowd. OKC won 120-109. They were one win away.
Why Game 6 Felt Like a Different Sport
Indiana is a tough place to play. Gainbridge Fieldhouse was a sea of yellow, and the Pacers played like their lives depended on it. They didn't just beat the Thunder in Game 6; they embarrassed them.
- The Pacers led by 31 at one point.
- They held the Thunder to 60 points through three quarters.
- SGA had eight turnovers, which is unheard of for him.
The 108-91 final score actually makes it look closer than it was. Tyrese Haliburton was playing on a bum calf, but you wouldn't have known it. He was carving up the Thunder defense like a Thanksgiving turkey.
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Everything came down to a Game 7 in Oklahoma City.
The Thunder vs Pacers Finals Finale: Destiny in OKC
June 22, 2025. The Paycom Center was vibrating.
Game 7s are usually ugly. This one was no exception. It was a defensive grind where every possession felt like a heavy-weight boxing round. Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren were playing volleyball with Pacers shot attempts.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put the team on his back with 29 points and 12 assists. He wasn't just scoring; he was controlling the entire geometry of the floor. Indiana stayed close because Bennedict Mathurin was relentless, grabbing 13 rebounds and scoring 24 points.
But the Thunder’s depth was too much.
In the third quarter, OKC went on a 34-20 run that Indiana just couldn't recover from. The final whistle blew at 103-91. The Thunder—a team built on draft picks, patience, and a lot of trades—had their first title in the OKC era.
What We Learned from the Matchup
This series proved that the "small market" excuse is dead. If you draft well and keep your stars, you can win.
The Thunder's defense was the real story. They led the league in forced turnovers, and it showed in the clutch. Even a high-octane offense like Indiana's eventually sputtered against that kind of length and speed.
If you're looking to understand why the NBA looks different today in 2026, you have to look back at that June. It shifted the way GMs think about roster construction. No more hunting for "Big Threes." Now, everyone wants "The Big Five"—five guys who can all shoot, pass, and switch on defense.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
- Watch the Tape: If you want to see how to defend a modern pick-and-roll, go back and watch Lu Dort's film from Game 4 and Game 7. It's a masterclass.
- Monitor Injuries: Keep an eye on Tyrese Haliburton's calf health in the upcoming 2026 stretch. That injury started in these Finals and has been a recurring theme.
- Evaluate OKC's Future: The Thunder are currently sitting at 33-7 in early 2026. They aren't a one-hit-wonder. This is a dynasty in the making.
The 2025 Finals weren't just about a trophy. They were a message. The new guard didn't just arrive; they took over the keys to the building and locked the door behind them.