It’s finally here, the showdown we’ve all been waiting for. The 2025 NBA Finals have arrived, and it’s the Oklahoma City Thunder versus the Indiana Pacers in what’s shaping up to be a classic David vs. Goliath battle. Except this time, Goliath is wearing OKC blue and storming into the series with serious momentum.
Let’s not sugarcoat it, the Thunder are stacked. After cruising through a 68-14 regular season and barely breaking a sweat in the playoffs, they’re coming into this series with sky-high expectations. Oddsmakers aren’t exactly subtle either, slotting them in as heavy favorites with lines floating between -750 and -800. Indiana? They’re sitting in longshot territory, somewhere around +525 to +550.
NBA Finals 2025: Thunder Return for the First Time Since 2013
It’s been over a decade since OKC last made it to the NBA’s biggest stage. Back in 2013, a young Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook ran into LeBron’s Heat and came up short. This time around, the vibe is different. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, now a legit MVP contender, is running the show, and this team doesn’t feel like it’s just happy to be here. They want the trophy. Badly.
The Thunder have been steamrolling opponents out West, most recently brushing aside the Timberwolves in just five games. Their offense flows like water, fast, unpredictable, and hard to contain, while their defense clamps down when it matters most. Throw in unselfish ball movement and a deep bench, and you've got a team that looks built to win it all.
Coach Mark Daigneault has been pulling all the right strings, too, adjusting mid-series like a chess master and keeping his young squad laser-focused. That kind of poise is rare, especially for a team with this many 20-somethings playing major minutes.
Indiana: The Underdogs Who Refuse To Go Quietly
On the other side of the bracket? A team no one thought would get this far. The Indiana Pacers came into the season as 50-to-1 long shots to even make the Finals, and here they are, silencing doubters and turning heads. Their run has been gutsy, unpredictable, and honestly, kinda fun to watch.
Led by the ever-creative Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers knocked off the Knicks in six gritty games to punch their ticket to the big dance. They’re quick, they shoot the lights out, and they’ve got that “we don’t care what you think” energy that’s easy to root for.
Coach Rick Carlisle has leaned into that underdog identity, stressing teamwork and toughness all season. And it’s paid off. Sure, they’re not the favorites, but they’re also not backing down.
Prediction Time: Most Analysts Are Leaning Thunder in 5 or 6
If you ask around, most analysts are betting that the Thunder take this thing in five or six games. It’s not just the talent, it’s the composure. OKC plays like a group that’s been here before, even if most of them haven’t. They don’t flinch.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the favorite for Finals MVP, and honestly, it’s hard to argue with that. He’s been dropping over 30 a night and locking down on the defensive end. He’s doing it all and making it look easy.
But it’s not just Shai. Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Lu Dort have all had huge playoff moments. The Thunder’s depth is insane. They don’t just have Plan A, they’ve got Plans B through D ready to go.
Game 1: June 5 in OKC
The Finals tip off on June 5, with Game 1 set in Oklahoma City. Home-court advantage is just one more thing working in the Thunder’s favor, and if they start strong, the Pacers could be in for a long series.
But let’s not write off Indiana just yet. This series promises a clash of styles, the Thunder’s surgical execution versus the Pacers’ fast-paced, shoot-first chaos. It could get messy. It could get wild. And that’s what makes it worth watching.
Final Thought: Can the Pacers Pull Off a Miracle?
Look, the odds aren’t pretty. But if the playoffs have taught us anything, it’s that weird things happen when the pressure’s on. The Pacers have already pulled off a few shocks. What’s one more?
Still, the Thunder seem ready. They’re deep, dangerous, and hungry for that elusive championship, their first since the franchise moved from Seattle. For now, they’re the team with the target on their backs.
Either way, buckle up. This year’s NBA Finals might be more unpredictable than we think.
