The stage is set for a historic NBA Finals as the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers, both driven by emerging stars and deep rosters, clash in search of their first-ever NBA championship. Game one of the best-of-seven series tips off Thursday, with Oklahoma City holding home-court advantage after a league-best 68-win regular season.
Both teams feature elite young point guards — 26-year-old MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the Thunder and 25-year-old Tyrese Haliburton for the Pacers. This marks Indiana’s second trip to the NBA Finals after their 2000 loss to the Lakers, while the Thunder return for the first time since 2012. The franchise’s lone title came in 1979 when they were known as the Seattle SuperSonics.
“This is a new blueprint for the league,” said Pacers center Myles Turner. “It’s not about superteams anymore. Teams like us and OKC are winning with youth, speed, defense, and chemistry.”
Gilgeous-Alexander, who led the league in scoring with 32.7 points per game, has been dominant throughout the playoffs, supported by breakout stars Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. The Thunder swept Memphis, edged Denver in a tight seven-game series, and dispatched Minnesota in five.
Indiana reached the Finals by defeating Milwaukee, Cleveland, and New York, relying on Haliburton’s leadership and Pascal Siakam’s consistent production.
OKC holds the defensive edge, leading all playoff teams in turnovers forced, steals, and defensive shooting percentage. The Pacers, however, lead the postseason in scoring and shooting accuracy, both overall and from three-point range.
Interestingly, both teams rebuilt in part through trades involving Paul George. The Pacers flipped George in 2017, eventually landing Haliburton and key draft picks. The Thunder traded George in 2019, acquiring Gilgeous-Alexander and the pick that turned into Williams.
Experience may also come into play. Oklahoma City’s Alex Caruso has championship experience from the Lakers’ 2020 run, while Pascal Siakam won it all with Toronto in 2019. Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle, who led Dallas to the 2011 title, could become just the fourth coach to win rings with two different teams.
