Road to the Finals

Oklahoma City Thunder

Leading the Western Conference with a franchise-record 68 regular-season wins, the Thunder secured their place in the Finals with a dominant 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals. MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) delivered a masterclass performance in Game 5, scoring 34 points with 7 rebounds and 8 assists. Chet Holmgren’s defensive prowess—highlighted by 22 points and 7 rebounds in critical moments—solidified their status as the #1 defensive team in the playoffs. Oklahoma City’s strategy combines relentless perimeter defense and Holmgren’s shot-blocking (averaging 3.2 blocks per game) to stifle opponents.

Indiana Pacers

Coach Rick Carlisle’s Pacers defied expectations to claim the Eastern Conference title. After acquiring Pascal Siakam midseason, they paired him with All-NBA Guard Tyrese Haliburton to form a lethal duo. Their 4-2 series win over the New York Knicks was sealed by Haliburton’s 21 points and 13 assists in Game 6. Indiana’s second-ranked playoff offense (118.2 offensive rating) thrives on Haliburton’s playmaking (20.1 PPG, 10.4 APG) and a 38.1% three-point shooting efficiency.

Key Matchups and Storylines

SGA vs. Haliburton: The Guard Supremacy

This Finals pits the league’s top scoring point guard (SGA: 32.7 PPG) against its assist leader (Haliburton: 10.4 APG). SGA’s isolation scoring and ability to draw fouls (8.3 FTA per game) clash with Haliburton’s floor vision and pace-setting game. Oklahoma City’s perimeter defense—led by Luguentz Dort—has historically limited Haliburton to just 12 PPG in prior meetings, a critical test for Indiana’s engine.

Thunder’s Defense vs. Pacers’ Offense: Clash of Titans

Oklahoma City’s #1-ranked defense (98.6 defensive rating) faces its toughest challenge yet. Indiana’s motion offense, fueled by Siakam’s post play (22.7 PPG in the playoffs) and Myles Turner’s rim protection, could exploit rare Thunder defensive lapses. Conversely, Holmgren’s length (7-foot-1 wingspan) may disrupt Indiana’s paint scoring, while the Thunder’s depth at guard pressures Haliburton’s handling.

Home-Court Advantage and Schedule

Hosted at the Paycom Center for Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 (if necessary), the Thunder hold home-court advantage due to their superior regular-season record. The series opens Thursday, June 5 at 8:30 PM ET on ABC. Remaining games shift to Indiana’s Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Games 3–4. All matches will stream globally on ESPN+ and FuboTV, offering unprecedented accessibility.

A New Era Begins

This showdown marks the NBA’s shift toward youth-driven dynasties. Neither team fields a player older than 30, with rosters built through strategic drafting (SGA/Holmgren for OKC; Haliburton/Bennedict Mathurin for Indy). A Thunder title would cement their rebuild post-Kevin Durant, while the Pacers aim to end decades of playoff heartbreak. As the Finals unfold, the question remains: Will SGA’s MVP campaign conclude with a championship, or will Haliburton’s Pacers pull off an upset?

Follow the action as history is made over the next three weeks—a must-watch moment for basketball fans worldwide.