Indiana’s reward is a showdown with the Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder, the NBA’s top regular-season team with a staggering 68 wins. The Finals begin June 5th in Oklahoma City, where the Thunder hold home-court advantage.
The architect of the Pacers’ Finals berth was star point guard Tyrese Haliburton. Heading into the clincher against the Knicks, Haliburton was averaging an impressive 21.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 10.0 assists per game in the series. His arrival in Indiana midway through the 2021-22 season, via a shocking trade that sent All-Star Domantas Sabonis packing, marked the turning point for the franchise. Subsequent savvy moves – drafting Aaron Nembhard and trading for Aaron Nesmith that summer – solidified a dynamic young core that now starts and thrives together.
Thunder vs. Pacers Finals Odds: OKC Among Biggest Favs in 20 Years
This Pacers team is defined by its relentless, high-octane style. Finishing seventh in the NBA in pace during the regular season, Indiana surged after January 1st, posting a 34-14 record (fourth-best in the league) to secure the East’s fourth seed.
Their playoff run has been a testament to their growth and resilience. They knocked out the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round for the second consecutive year, then stunned the top-seeded, 64-win Cleveland Cavaliers in just five games. The conference finals presented another rematch from their 2024 playoff run, and the Pacers decisively conquered the Knicks.
Guiding this young squad is veteran head coach Rick Carlisle. Returning for his second stint with the franchise (assistant 1997-2000, head coach 2003-2007), Carlisle brings championship pedigree from his 2011 title run with the Dallas Mavericks. He now leads Indiana into its second Finals appearance ever, seeking redemption for their 2000 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The stage is set for a classic clash: the league’s best regular-season team, Oklahoma City, versus the surging, high-flying Pacers, peaking at the perfect moment.