The 2025 NBA Finals tipped off on June 5, 2025, at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, where the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder welcomed the underdog Indiana Pacers in a matchup that few predicted at the season’s outset. The Thunder, fresh off a dominant 68-win regular season and a relatively smooth playoff run, were heavy favorites to claim their first NBA championship in the Oklahoma City era. The Pacers, meanwhile, had defied the odds all postseason, overcoming higher-seeded teams with their high-octane offense and a penchant for late-game heroics. Game 1 of the Finals would prove to be a microcosm of both teams’ identities, culminating in a heart-stopping 111-110 victory for the Pacers, thanks to a Tyrese Haliburton game-winner with just 0.3 seconds remaining. This game, marked by a 15-point fourth-quarter comeback, not only gave Indiana a 1-0 series lead but also sent a resounding message: the 2025 Finals would be anything but predictable.
The Stage is Set: A Clash of Styles
The Thunder entered the Finals as the epitome of modern NBA dominance. With a roster built around the 2025 NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC boasted a suffocating defense and a dynamic offense that overwhelmed opponents throughout the season. Their 68-14 regular-season record was the best in the league, and their playoff path—sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies, surviving a seven-game battle with the Denver Nuggets, and dispatching the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games—solidified their status as the team to beat. Gilgeous-Alexander, a 6-foot-6 point guard with a lethal midrange game, averaged 32.7 points per game in the regular season, and his ability to create his own shot made him a nightmare for opposing defenses. Supporting him were All-NBA wing Jalen Williams, defensive stalwarts Lu Dort and Alex Caruso, and the versatile big man Chet Holmgren, whose rim protection and floor-spacing ability made OKC a matchup nightmare.
The Pacers, on the other hand, were the surprise of the postseason. A fourth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 50-32 regular-season record, Indiana had been underestimated at every turn. They started the playoffs by defeating the Milwaukee Bucks as favorites, then upset the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks—both higher seeds—to reach their first Finals since 2000. Led by Tyrese Haliburton, a 25-year-old point guard who had blossomed into one of the league’s premier playmakers, the Pacers played at a breakneck pace, ranking second in the postseason with a 117.7 offensive rating. Haliburton’s ability to orchestrate the offense, combined with the scoring prowess of Pascal Siakam (the Eastern Conference Finals MVP) and the sharpshooting of players like Aaron Nesmith and Obi Toppin, made Indiana a dangerous team. But their defining trait in the 2025 playoffs was their resilience. They had already staged dramatic comebacks in each of their previous series, including a seven-point rally in the final minute against the Bucks, a similar effort against the Cavaliers, and a 14-point comeback against the Knicks that featured a Haliburton buzzer-beater to force overtime.
Game 1 promised a clash of styles: the Thunder’s elite defense, which held opponents to 104.7 points per 100 possessions in the playoffs, against the Pacers’ explosive offense, which thrived in transition and from beyond the arc. The Paycom Center was electric as the game tipped off at 8:30 PM ET, with the Thunder faithful expecting their team to assert dominance early. Little did they know, they were in for a rollercoaster of emotions.
First Quarter: Thunder Strike Early
The game began with the Thunder winning the tip, and it didn’t take long for them to establish their presence. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander set the tone with a silky midrange jumper just 20 seconds into the game, drawing a roar from the crowd. The Thunder’s defense, as expected, came out aggressive, with Lu Dort hounding Haliburton full court and forcing an early turnover. OKC capitalized immediately, with Jalen Williams knocking down a corner three to make it 5-0. The Pacers, visibly rattled by the Thunder’s physicality, struggled to find their rhythm. Haliburton missed a rushed three-pointer, and Myles Turner was stuffed at the rim by Holmgren, who swatted the shot into the third row.
By the 9:30 mark, the Thunder had raced out to a 7-0 lead, prompting Pacers coach Rick Carlisle to call a quick timeout. The crowd was on its feet, sensing a potential rout. Carlisle, a veteran coach known for his tactical acumen, urged his team to settle down and stick to their game plan: move the ball, push the pace, and attack the Thunder’s defense with quick decisions. The Pacers responded with a Pascal Siakam midrange jumper to get on the board, but OKC’s defense continued to dictate the tempo. Dort’s relentless pressure on Haliburton forced another turnover, and Gilgeous-Alexander converted a transition layup to push the lead to 9-2.
The Pacers found some traction late in the quarter, thanks to the second unit. T.J. McConnell, a sparkplug off the bench, orchestrated a 7-2 run with a pair of pull-up jumpers and a nifty assist to Obi Toppin for a corner three. But the Thunder closed the quarter strong, with Gilgeous-Alexander hitting a step-back jumper over Andrew Nembhard to give OKC a 29-20 lead after one. The Pacers’ nine turnovers in the first quarter were a glaring issue, as the Thunder converted those miscues into 12 points. Haliburton, who had been held to just two points on 1-for-4 shooting, looked frustrated as he headed to the bench.
Second Quarter: Pacers Fight Back, Thunder Hold Firm
The second quarter saw the Pacers begin to find their footing, largely due to their bench unit’s energy. McConnell continued to provide a spark, slicing through OKC’s defense for a layup and setting up Aaron Nesmith for a three-pointer that cut the Thunder’s lead to 31-25. Indiana’s pace started to pick up, and their ball movement—crisp and purposeful—began to create open looks. Siakam, who had been quiet in the first quarter, came alive with a pair of tough midrange jumpers, showing why he was named the Eastern Conference Finals MVP.
But the Thunder’s depth, a hallmark of their 2025 campaign, kept them in control. Alex Caruso, coming off the bench, made an immediate impact with his defense, picking up Haliburton full court and forcing a travel violation. On the other end, Caruso knocked down a three-pointer and drew a charge on Siakam, energizing the Paycom Center crowd. Gilgeous-Alexander continued to dominate, scoring 12 points in the quarter, including a pair of and-one plays that showcased his ability to draw contact and finish through traffic. By the midway point of the quarter, OKC had extended their lead to 48-35, and the Pacers looked like they might be in for a long night.
However, Indiana’s resilience—the defining trait of their postseason run—began to shine through. Haliburton, who had been stifled by Dort’s defense, started to find his rhythm, hitting a deep three over Caruso and then finding Toppin for a transition dunk. The Pacers’ offense, which thrives on quick ball movement and off-ball cuts, began to exploit OKC’s aggressive defensive rotations. A Nesmith three-pointer with 1:20 left in the half cut the Thunder’s lead to 54-48, and the Pacers headed into halftime trailing by just six points despite a season-high 19 turnovers in the first half. Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 22 points on 9-for-15 shooting, while Siakam paced the Pacers with 12 points.
Third Quarter: Thunder Pull Away
The third quarter began with the Thunder reasserting their dominance. Mark Daigneault, OKC’s head coach, made a key adjustment by starting Isaiah Hartenstein alongside Holmgren, creating a twin-towers lineup that overwhelmed the Pacers on the glass. The Thunder outrebounded Indiana 15-8 in the quarter, and Hartenstein’s presence in the paint deterred the Pacers’ drives. Gilgeous-Alexander continued to carve up Indiana’s defense, scoring 10 points in the quarter, including a ridiculous one-legged fadeaway over Myles Turner that drew gasps from the crowd.
2025 NBA Finals Thunder vs Pacers Game 1 recap
The Pacers, meanwhile, struggled to keep up. Haliburton picked up his third foul early in the quarter, forcing Carlisle to sit him for a stretch. Without their primary playmaker, Indiana’s offense stagnated, and their turnovers continued to mount. A sloppy inbounds pass led to a Cason Wallace steal and a thunderous dunk by Jalen Williams, pushing OKC’s lead to 79-63. The Thunder’s defense, which had been relentless all game, seemed to break the Pacers’ spirit, as Indiana shot just 8-for-22 in the quarter. By the end of the third, OKC led 89-74, and the Paycom Center was buzzing with anticipation of a Game 1 rout.
Fourth Quarter: The Comeback Kings Strike Again
With 9:42 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Thunder held a commanding 94-79 lead, and the game seemed all but over. Casual fans might have started to change the channel, assuming the Pacers were done. But those who had followed Indiana’s playoff run knew better—this team never quits. The Pacers, who had already staged dramatic comebacks in each of their previous series, were about to add another chapter to their legend.
The rally began with a subtle but crucial adjustment from Carlisle. He went small, inserting Toppin at the five and spreading the floor with shooters. This lineup—Haliburton, McConnell, Nesmith, Siakam, and Toppin—unlocked Indiana’s transition game, which had been stifled for much of the night. Toppin, a 6-foot-9 forward with the speed of a guard, became a weapon in the open court, leaking out for a dunk off a Haliburton steal to cut the lead to 94-81. On the next possession, Nesmith drained a corner three, and suddenly the Pacers were within 10.
The Thunder, sensing the momentum shift, tried to slow the game down, but their offense began to stall. Gilgeous-Alexander, who had been unstoppable for three quarters, missed a pair of midrange jumpers, including a clean look that would have given OKC a three-point lead with 10 seconds left. The Pacers’ defense, which had been porous for much of the game, tightened up, with McConnell and Nesmith swarming OKC’s ball-handlers and forcing tough shots. Indiana also started to win the three-point battle, a key factor in their comeback. They hit 6-of-10 threes in the fourth quarter, including a dagger from Toppin with 1:45 remaining that cut the Thunder’s lead to 108-107.
With 22.5 seconds left, OKC clung to a 110-109 lead, but a controversial out-of-bounds call on Siakam gave the Pacers a chance to challenge. The review upheld the call, and Indiana got the ball back with a chance to take the lead. Haliburton, who had been relatively quiet for much of the game, called for a high pick-and-roll with Siakam. As Gilgeous-Alexander fought through the screen, Haliburton pulled up from 25 feet and drained a running jumper with 0.3 seconds remaining, giving the Pacers their first lead of the night at 111-110. The Paycom Center fell silent as the Thunder’s final inbounds play resulted in a desperation heave from Williams that clanged off the rim.
Key Performances and Turning Points
Tyrese Haliburton, despite a slow start, finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, but his impact went beyond the stat sheet. His game-winning jumper was the defining moment of the night, and his ability to stay composed under pressure was a testament to his growth as a leader. Pascal Siakam added 18 points and seven rebounds, providing a steady scoring presence throughout the game. Obi Toppin was a revelation off the bench, scoring 12 points in the fourth quarter alone, including a pair of threes that ignited the comeback. T.J. McConnell, the unsung hero of Indiana’s playoff run, contributed 14 points and eight assists, repeatedly getting into the paint and creating opportunities for his teammates.
For the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the standout, finishing with 38 points on 14-for-30 shooting, along with seven rebounds and six assists. But his late misses, including the 15-footer that set up Haliburton’s game-winner, proved costly. Jalen Williams added 16 points, but his 6-for-15 shooting night was a step down from his usual efficiency. Alex Caruso, a defensive menace off the bench, chipped in 11 points, six rebounds, and three steals, but his impact was overshadowed by the Pacers’ late surge. The Thunder’s rebounding struggles—outrebounded by 17 for the game—were a glaring weakness, as Indiana’s second-chance opportunities kept them in the game despite their 25 turnovers.
The turning point of the game came in the fourth quarter when Carlisle went small and unleashed Indiana’s transition attack. The Pacers scored 35 points in the final frame, outpacing the Thunder 35-21 and erasing a 15-point deficit. Their ability to hit clutch threes and take better care of the ball (just five turnovers in the second half) allowed them to seize control in the closing minutes. For the Thunder, their inability to close out the game—despite leading for 47 minutes and 59.7 seconds—exposed a rare vulnerability in an otherwise dominant team.
The Aftermath: What It Means for the Series
The Pacers’ 111-110 victory in Game 1 was a statement win, not just because of the dramatic fashion in which it unfolded, but because of what it represented. Indiana, a team that had been counted out by oddsmakers and analysts alike, proved once again that they thrive as underdogs. Their ability to rally from a 15-point deficit on the road against the league’s best team showcased their resilience and belief in their system. Haliburton, who had been voted “most overrated” by his peers in an anonymous poll at the start of the playoffs, silenced his critics with another clutch performance on the NBA’s biggest stage.
For the Thunder, the loss was a gut punch. They had dominated for three quarters, led by as many as 15 points, and had the game in their hands with less than a minute to play. But their late-game execution faltered, and their rebounding woes allowed the Pacers to hang around long enough to mount a comeback. Mark Daigneault, in his postgame press conference, remained optimistic, emphasizing that the Finals are a series, not a single game. “The most important game in the series is always the next one,” he said. “We’ll take what we learned tonight, make adjustments, and come out better in Game 2.”
The Pacers’ Game 1 win gives them a 1-0 series lead, but history suggests that the Thunder are far from done. Since 2021, higher seeds that lose Game 1 at home have gone 21-7 in Game 2, often with significant point differentials. OKC, with their 8-1 home record in the playoffs prior to Game 1, will look to even the series on Sunday night. For the Pacers, the challenge will be to maintain their intensity and avoid a letdown, as they’ve now stolen Game 1 on the road in three consecutive series.
Looking Ahead: Game 2 and Beyond
Game 2, set for June 8 at 8:00 PM ET in Oklahoma City, will be a pivotal moment in the series. The Thunder will likely make adjustments to address their rebounding issues, potentially leaning more on Hartenstein and Holmgren to control the glass. They’ll also need to find ways to limit Haliburton’s impact in crunch time, perhaps by mixing up their defensive coverages or using Dort and Caruso in tandem to wear him down. Offensively, OKC will look to get more from Jalen Williams, whose inconsistent shooting in Game 1 put additional pressure on Gilgeous-Alexander.
For the Pacers, the key will be to sustain their momentum while cleaning up their turnovers. Their 25 turnovers in Game 1 were a season-high, and against a team like the Thunder, who thrive in transition, they can’t afford to be so careless with the ball. Indiana will also need to continue winning the three-point battle, as their 18-for-35 performance from beyond the arc in Game 1 was a major factor in their comeback. If they can maintain their composure and execute in the clutch, they have a chance to take a commanding 2-0 lead before the series shifts to Indianapolis for Games 3 and 4.
A Finals for the Ages
Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals was a fitting start to what promises to be a thrilling series. The Thunder, with their elite defense and MVP-led offense, remain the favorites, but the Pacers have shown that they’re more than capable of pulling off an upset. Tyrese Haliburton’s game-winner, capping a 15-point comeback, was a moment that will be replayed for years to come, a testament to Indiana’s never-say-die attitude. For the Thunder, the loss is a wake-up call, a reminder that even the best teams can’t afford to let their guard down against a team as dangerous as the Pacers.
As the series moves forward, the basketball world will be watching to see if Indiana can continue their magical run, or if OKC will reassert their dominance and reclaim control. One thing is certain: the 2025 NBA Finals are off to a roaring start, and if Game 1 is any indication, fans are in for a treat over the next few weeks. The Pacers may have led for just 0.3 seconds in Game 1, but that was all they needed to steal a victory and set the tone for what could be one of the most memorable Finals in recent history.