After blitzing through the Eastern Conference Playoffs, the Indiana Pacers get their first shot at the NBA title in 25 years.
The Indiana Pacers are back on the league’s biggest stage—and this time, they’re aiming to finish the job.
Set to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in a first-ever NBA Finals matchup between the two franchises, the Pacers are chasing their first championship in franchise history, returning to the Finals for the first time since 2000.
It’s been a milestone season in Indianapolis, with Rick Carlisle’s squad posting a 50-32 record—their first 50-win campaign in over a decade—and marching through the Eastern Conference with purpose.
The Pacers blitzed through the postseason, dispatching the Milwaukee Bucks and top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers each in just five games, before outlasting the New York Knicks in a tough six-game battle in the East Finals.
Pascal Siakam, the former champion with Toronto, earned Eastern Conference Finals MVP honors and continues to be the engine for Indiana, leading the team in both scoring and rebounding throughout the season and playoffs.
Backing him is All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton, the team’s top playmaker and offensive initiator.
The supporting cast has been critical in Indiana’s run, with Myles Turner anchoring the paint, Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith providing two-way versatility, and TJ McConnell adding a steady veteran presence off the bench.
Carlisle, who guided the Dallas Mavericks to the 2011 NBA title, now seeks his second ring—this time with a Pacers team that has captured the league’s attention with its speed, unselfish play, and depth.
With a hungry, youthful Thunder squad on the other side, the Pacers’ road to history is far from easy.
But as they gear up for Game 1, Indiana enters the Finals with confidence, momentum, and a chance to bring home a title that’s eluded the franchise for nearly five decades.
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]