Pacers vs. Thunder: NBA Finals Set to Ignite Thursday

Joel Piton
Jun 3
4 min read

The wait is over. The stage is set. Two unexpected juggernauts loaded with talent are ready to battle for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. On one end, the league’s reigning MVP and top scorer headlines a fiery young Thunder squad. On the other, a veteran Cameroonian former champion and and a do-it-all point guard lead the Pacers. Indiana has punched its ticket to the NBA Finals for just the second time in franchise history—and the first since 2000—after outlasting the New York Knicks in a grueling Eastern Conference Finals series. Oklahoma City returns to the big stage for the first time in thirteen years, hungry to finish what the franchise couldn’t do with KD in 2012. Neither team wants to let their fanbases down—Hoosier pride runs deep, and Oklahomans live and breathe Thunder basketball.

These squads are brimming with talent. But is this what fans really want? Since 2019, a different team has taken home the title every year—no dynasties, no repeat champions, no familiar faces ruling the league. Some say the unpredictability is good for the game. Others miss the eras of dominance. At the end of the day, the last thing the NBA wants is viewership to creep down. [For more on that, click here]

One thing is certain: this year’s Finals will test whether these teams can put on a show worthy of the crown—and maybe even help bring the NBA’s ratings back up. But how do the Thunder and Pacers truly measure up? Let’s break it down.

Defensively, the Thunder hold a slight edge. Lu Dort and Alex Caruso continue to anchor the perimeter with All-NBA level defense, and Dort’s ability to guard positions 1 through 4 makes him one of the most versatile defenders in the league worthy of the First Team nod. Down low, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein form a formidable interior duo. While Hartenstein may not be a defensive juggernaut, his presence on the glass and his 11-and-10 averages this season make him a consistent two-way contributor. Holmgren, meanwhile, uses every inch of his 7’1” frame to disrupt shots, averaging two blocks per game in the postseason. Pascal Siakam remains a two-way star for the Pacers, though he’ll likely spend less time on the perimeter and more time playing help-defense, as OKC’s bigs are board crashers and rim protectors rather than floor spacers. And while Tyrese Haliburton draws praise for his size and playmaking, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander quietly outperforms him on the defensive end. At 6’6”, Shai not only neutralizes Haliburton’s height advantage but also brings a physical edge that often goes underappreciated due to his offensive brilliance.

Offensively, this matchup is nearly even—but once again, the edge tilts toward the Thunder. Pascal Siakam remains Indiana’s go-to scorer, but his path to the rim won’t come easy against Chet Holmgren’s length and timing. Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers’ floor general, is naturally a pass-first point guard, but in this series, he may need to take on a heavier scoring load to cover some of Siakam’s offensive gaps. Fortunately for him, Indiana’s supporting cast is more than capable. Bennedict Mathurin averaged 16 points per game during the regular season and brings confidence offensively. Aaron Nesmith provides consistent floor spacing with his dependable three-point shot, while Andrew Nembhard, more of a facilitator, scores efficiently from mid-range. Then there’s Myles Turner—an interior presence who averages 15 a night and has the ability to stretch the floor, especially if Hartenstein clogs the paint. These pieces have fueled Haliburton’s 10 assists per game, and they’re all capable of providing the scoring punch needed to compete at the highest level.

But how does it compare to OKC? The Thunder are led by the league MVP and scoring champion, and the talent around Shai is just as dangerous. Jalen Williams earned All-NBA Third Team honors thanks to his efficiency scoring, while Isaiah Joe remains one of the best snipers in the league at over 40% from deep. Aaron Wiggins has quietly shot 50% from the field for his career, bringing efficiency at the guard-forward positions, and Chet Holmgren gives them a scoring presence both outside and down low. Rookie Cason Wallace has emerged as a two-way threat, showing flashes of star potential on both ends of the floor. Both teams are stacked with offensive weapons—but with more top-tier scorers and elite efficiency across the board, OKC gets the nod here.

The frontcourt battle is going to be a war. On paper, the edge goes to Oklahoma City—mainly due to rebounding. Both Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein are capable of pulling down double-digit boards on any given night. Meanwhile, Myles Turner has never been known as a dominant rebounder, and Indiana doesn’t have a bruising big off the bench to pick up the slack. That leaves Pascal Siakam, who leads the Pacers in playoff rebounds with a modest 5.8 per game. Not great, but decent. If Indiana can somehow match OKC’s elbow grease and 7'1" centers with a collective effort on the glass, that’s a huge win for them. But that’s a tall order. Holmgren is rising pretty fast under postseason pressure, and Hartenstein was brought to OKC for this very reason—to be a force in the paint. So far, he’s delivered.

Another key factor? Depth. In every playoff series so far, the Thunder have worn teams down with their bench production and relentless energy. That depth may once again give them the edge. But don’t count Indiana out—this team has heart. They’ve defied expectations all season long, knocking off some serious contenders to reach the Finals. And now that they’re here, they won’t let go without a fight.

The Thunder enter the Finals as the favorites over Pacers by a decent margin, and it’s easy to see why. When the league MVP is leading your squad, the hype comes naturally. Whether or not anyone predicted these two teams to headline the 2024–25 season, the question now is: can they deliver the kind of Finals magic fans crave? We’ll find out soon. Game 1 tips off Thursday night at 8:30 PM EST on ABC. And don’t worry, we’ll have all your updates, predictions, and analysis right here at FOSN as the series progresses. The moment has arrived. The stage is set. All that’s left is to see who will rise to the top. So grab your popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the show. Until next time!