OKC superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder return after a week-long layoff, battling Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers to jumpstart the 2025 NBA Finals.
Thunderstorms are in the forecast. Inside Paycom Center, that is.
After nearly a week-long layoff, the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder return to action as they host the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals on Friday (PH time), June 6.
Tip-off is set at 8:30 a.m.
The Thunder enter as heavy favorites — and with good reason.
This young but composed squad stormed through the regular season with a franchise-record 68 wins and the league’s best overall record. OKC then backed up that dominance in the playoffs, eliminating the Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves on their way to the Western Conference crown.
Leading the charge is reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, joined by fellow All-NBA honoree Jalen Williams, rising star big man Chet Holmgren, and defensive anchors Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, and Isaiah Hartenstein.
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Oklahoma City has also been nearly unbeatable at home, boasting a playoff-best 8–1 record at Paycom Center, with their only loss coming against Denver in Game 1 of the West semifinals.
The Thunder are eyeing their first NBA title since relocating from Seattle in 2008 — and standing in their way is a fast-paced, run-and-gun Pacers squad making its first Finals appearance in 25 years.
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(With reports from Pao Ambat)
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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.]