NBA Finals Game 2 updates: Thunder vs. Pacers predictions, time, where to watch
NBA Finals Game 2 updates: Thunder vs. Pacers predictions, time, where to watch
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Pacers and Thunder NBA Finals is better than it's 'small-market' billing
USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the star-studded NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
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The 2025 NBA Finals continue on Sunday, June 8, between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder with a surprising team holding a 1-0 series lead.
Through much of Game 1, the Thunder showed why it entered the finals as the clear favorite, leading by as many as 15 points in the fourth quarter until the Pacers pulled off a dramatic comeback.
Tyrese Haliburton, who contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds, gave the Pacers the lead with 0.3 seconds remaining in the contest with a clutch jumper. It would be enough to secure the shocking 111-110 win.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a prolific night for Oklahoma City, dropping 38 points on 14-for-30 shooting. Pascal Siakam led the way for Indiana, posting 19 points on 7-for-15 from the field.
It all adds up to a must-see Game 2. USA TODAY Sports - including NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt from Oklahoma City and NBA reporter Lorenzo Reyes - will provide the latest updates, highlights, analysis and more throughout the game. Follow along.
What time is Thunder vs Pacers game today?
The Oklahoma City Thunder hosts the Indiana Pacers for Game 2 of the NBA Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
Where to watch Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 2
Watch the NBA Finals with Fubo
Where is Game 2 between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder?
The Oklahoma City Thunder hosts the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City for Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
As Game 1 of the NBA Finals began at Paycom Center, discerning fans on social media asked: 'Why aren't there NBA Finals logos on the court?'
For the most part – there are two exceptions – the NBA has not placed Finals logos on the court since the 2014 Finals.
Some fans clamored to see a court that matched the magnitude of the event – meaning they didn't want to see a court that was no different than a regular-season game. It was pointed out that the league's NBA Cup court has logos on it for the in-season tournament.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver took note of the comments and explained.
USA TODAY Sports's Jeff Zillgitt breaks down why the logo is absent from the court this series.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are favorites to even the series 1-1 with the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals, according to BetMGM (odds as of Saturday, June 7):
Spread : Thunder (-10.5)
: Thunder (-10.5) Moneyline : Thunder (-625); Pacers (+450)
: Thunder (-625); Pacers (+450) Over/under: 228.5
The Oklahoma City Thunder enter Game 2 as the favorite to win the 2025 NBA Finals over the Indiana Pacers, according to BetMGM (odds as of Saturday, June 7)
Series winner: Thunder (-350); Pacers (+275)
USA TODAY: Every expert picks the Thunder
Ahead of the series opener, all of the NBA experts at USA TODAY Sports picked the Oklahoma City Thunder to beat the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals
Scooby Axson: Thunder in five
Thunder in five Cydney Henderson: Thunder in six
Thunder in six Jordan Mendoza: Thunder in six
Thunder in six Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder in six
Thunder in six Heather Tucker: Thunder in five
Thunder in five James Williams: Thunder in six
Thunder in six Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder in five
USA TODAY: Nearly every expert picks the Thunder in Game 2
Scooby Axson: Pacers 124, Thunder 117
Pacers 124, Thunder 117 Jordan Mendoza : Thunder 104, Pacers 92
: Thunder 104, Pacers 92 Lorenzo Reyes : Thunder 111, Pacers 102
: Thunder 111, Pacers 102 Heather Tucker : Thunder 117, Pacers 110
: Thunder 117, Pacers 110 James Williams : Thunder 115, Pacers 95
: Thunder 115, Pacers 95 Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder 120, Pacers 109
The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers at 8 p.m. ET with coverage on ABC.
Game 2 between the Thunder and Pacers is available on ABC. Fans also can stream the action with Sling TV and Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.
Game 1, June 5: Pacers 111, Thunder 110
Pacers 111, Thunder 110 Game 2, June 8: Pacers at Thunder
Pacers at Thunder Game 3, June 11: Thunder at Pacers | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m.
Thunder at Pacers | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m. Game 4, June 13 : Thunder at Pacers | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m.
: Thunder at Pacers | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m. Game 5, June 16 : Pacers at Thunder | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m.*
: Pacers at Thunder | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m.* Game 6, June 19 : Thunder at Pacers | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m.*
: Thunder at Pacers | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m.* Game 7, June 22: Pacers at Thunder | ABC, Fubo | 8 p.m.*
All times Eastern; *-if necessary
Odds via BetMGM on Saturday, June 7.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-300)
Tyrese Haliburton (+340)
Pascal Siakam (+1300)
Jalen Williams (+6600)
Chet Holmgren (+15000)
Myles Turner (+15000)
Andrew Nembhard (+15000)
The Oklahoma City Thunder have one NBA Championship. It came in 1979 when the franchise was located in Seattle as the SuperSonics. It has not won a title since moving to Oklahoma City in 2008.
The Indiana Pacers have not won an NBA Championship. It has two Eastern Conference titles (2000, 2025).
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Chet Holmgren
Jalen Williams
Luguentz Dort
Alex Caruso
Isaiah Joe
Cason Wallace
Jaylin Williams
Aaron Wiggins
Kenrich Williams
Isaiah Hartenstein
Ousmane Diang
Nikola Topic
Ajay Mitchell
Dillon Jones
Tyrese Haliburton
Pascal Siakam
Myles Turner
Benedict Mathurin
Obi Toppin
Andrew Nebhard
Aaron Nesmith
T.J. McConnell
Isaiah Jackson
Jarace Walker
Ben Sheppard
Johnny Furphy
James Johnson
Thomas Bryant
Official assignments are announced at 9 a.m. on the day of the game. Here are the referees assigned to the 2025 NBA Finals.
Tony Brothers (14th Finals)
David Guthrie (eighth Finals)
James Capers (13th Finals)
Ben Taylor (first Finals)
Marc Davis (14th Finals)
Josh Tiven (sixth Finals)
Tyler Ford (first Finals)
James Williams (fifth Finals)
Scott Foster (18th Finals)
Sean Wright (second Finals)
John Goble (ninth Finals)
Zach Zarba (12th Finals)
Eastern Conference finals
No. 4 Indiana Pacers def. No. 3 New York Knicks, 4-2
Western Conference finals
No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder def. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves, 4-1
NBA Finals
No. 4 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder (Pacers lead series 1-0)
Per Dustin Dopriak of the Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network, Walker is "going to be out for a while" and is officially ruled out for Games 1 and 2 of the Finals, meaning his earliest possible return would be for Game 3 on June 11 in Indianapolis.
More on Walker's injury from USA TODAY's Jon Hoefling.
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USA Today
9 minutes ago
- USA Today
Player grades: Thunder bounce back with 123-107 Game 2 win over Pacers
Player grades: Thunder bounce back with 123-107 Game 2 win over Pacers OKLAHOMA CITY — As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren checked out for the last time, the star trio was met with loud applause by the OKC crowd. Seeing the third-stringers play out the final minutes has been a growing tradition this year. The Oklahoma City Thunder enjoyed a 123-107 Game 2 win over the Indiana Pacers. The 2025 NBA Finals are now tied at 1-1 through the first two games. That's despite the latter only holding the lead for a little under two minutes in 96 minutes. Much like Game 1, the Thunder had a strong start. They held a 26-20 lead after the first quarter. Gilgeous-Alexander played within the flow and Holmgren already exceeded his first game production in just the opening frame. While the vibes were good, the Pacers stuck around. The Thunder then created space on the scoreboard. An extended 35-9 run ballooned their lead to 23 points. This time, the bench added to the advantage. Alex Caruso put fear in the heart of Indiana. Aaron Wiggins' shot creation was unreal. And Kenrich Williams was a surprise wildcard who stepped up. Even Isaiah Hartenstein looked better off the bench as the Thunder ran their double-big lineup. The Thunder scored 33 points in the frame. They entered halftime with a 59-41 lead. Not bad. Maybe it could've been more. The Pacers had a 10-0 run in the second quarter to keep it within distance. But a near-20-point lead is a truer tale of how these first two games have played out. If they wanted another miracle, the Pacers needed a quick start. Time was running out. Instead, the Thunder were fine with exchanging buckets. Indiana never seriously threatened to make a historic comeback ala Game 1. OKC scored 34 points in the third frame to create a 93-74 advantage. From that point on, the Thunder were cool going back and forth. Whenever Aaron Nesmith made a ridiculous outside shot, Gilgeous-Alexander sliced through Indiana's defense on the other end. No last-second shenanigans were left for the Pacers. Both teams eventually cleared their benches. While the Pacers did their job with a road split, the Thunder have thoroughly looked like the better squad besides a late-game Game 1 meltdown. Sounds eerily similar to how the Denver Nuggets' series played out. The Thunder shot 49% from the field and went 14-of-36 (38.9%) from 3. They shot 29-of-33 on free throws. They had 25 assists on 40 baskets. Five Thunder players scored double-digit points. Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with an efficient 34 points. Williams had 19 points and Holmgren had 15 points for nice bounce-back performances. Caruso scored 20 points and Wiggins scored 18 points off the bench. Meanwhile, the Pacers shot 45% from the field and went 14-of-40 (35%) from 3. They shot 19-of-26 on free throws. They had 27 assists on 37 baskets. Seven Pacers players scored double-digit points. Tyrese Haliburton only had 17 points and six assists. Myles Turner had 16 points and four rebounds. Pascal Siakam finished with 15 points and seven rebounds. Nesmith and Bennedict Mathurin each scored 14 points. TJ McConnell tallied 11 points and six assists. This was how most people envisioned the NBA Finals to play out. The Thunder got off to a hot start and held a double-digit lead for most of the night. Despite that, OKC fans worried the Pacers had another comeback left in them. The scoreboard might've said a 15-plus point advantage, but the vibes felt like a two-possession game until both sides cleared their benches. Even though this was a much-needed Game 2 win, the Thunder are still playing catch-up. Losing home-court advantage on a stunner will do that. They travel to Indiana with the hopes of similar success and at least splitting the road trip. Let's look at Thunder player grades: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: A-plus Seeing Johnny Furphy inside the paint, Gilgeous-Alexander smelled blood in the water like a shark. He danced around Mathurin and bumped against the rookie. With his hands raised, the MVP winner put the final touches on a masterpiece when he went after Indiana's reserve. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 34 points on 11-of-21 shooting, eight assists and five rebounds. He shot 1-of-4 from 3 and went 11-of-12 on free throws. He also had four steals and a block. Everything was at stake for the Thunder in Game 2. They couldn't afford an early 0-2 series deficit and head on the road. Gilgeous-Alexander responded as he made the NBA Finals look like a standard regular-season matchup. So much for the playoff dropper allegations. Gilgeous-Alexander ballerina'd his way through the Pacers. He only needed a few dribbles to get to his mid-range spots and find openings around the basket. Indiana couldn't figure him out. He had a busy night at the charity stripe to show for it. From the jump, Gilgeous-Alexander set the tone. A rare catch-and-shoot corner 3-pointer sank in. The Thunder's offense looked a lot smoother to start. A stark contrast from their early Game 1 jitters. The MVP winner was a consistent threat throughout the four quarters. This is what one of the NBA's best players does. Gilgeous-Alexander entered another classic legacy moment and lived up to the pressure. His 72 points through two NBA Finals games is the most scored from any player in their series debut at this stage. It was business as usual. Gilgeous-Alexander has easily been the best player in this series. While the Pacers' depth is nice, not having a direct counter to him showed its ugly face down the stretch with a failed comeback attempt. Jalen Williams: B Matched up with Siakam, Williams casually strolled to his spot a step within the paint. He swished in a mid-range jumper to push OKC's lead to over 20 points in the fourth quarter. Any fears that stemmed from Game 1 were quickly cooled down. Williams finished with 19 points on 5-of-14 shooting, five assists and five rebounds. He shot 1-of-5 from 3 and went 8-of-9 on free throws. He also had a steal. Nothing spectacular, but Williams did enough. The jumper might not have fallen, but the 24-year-old made up for it with constant free-throw trips. Shoutout this whistle-happy referee crew that extended this game to nearly three hours. Pair that with his shutout defense against Siakam, and Williams did enough to secure a win. Much better than his Game 1, where he struggled to get to the basket. Chet Holmgren: B Visibly upset after Game 1, you just knew Holmgren was going to bounce back. The 23-year-old might have the occasional stinker, but never two in a row. He only needed the first quarter to prove that, as he exceeded his Game 1 point total. Holmgren finished with 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting, six rebounds and one assist. He shot 1-of-3 from 3 and went 2-of-2 on free throws. He also had a block. Receiving the inbound pass, Holmgren faked the corner attempt and drove past Turner for a scoop layup in the final seconds of the first frame. That was a perfect move to finish a hot start and flexing his confidence hasn't gone anywhere. The Thunder stuck with their Game 1 starters and reaped the benefits. They didn't overreact to an anomaly. Instead, they relied on what the lineup data has suggested all year. The Holmgren-Hartenstein lineup was back on the table after barely being played in Game 1. It worked out tremendously in their limited reps as they connected on an alley-oop. This is probably the best usage of Holmgren. He's at his peak at center. The Pacers always had to second-guess themselves when they drove to the basket. When he gets it going as a scorer, that makes the Thunder even more dangerous. Alex Caruso: A-plus Cutting baseline, Caruso found himself open. Hartenstein keyed in on that with a pass that resulted in a reverse layup. The Thunder kept their foot on the gas pedal in the second half. The bench lineup played an important role in that. Caruso finished with 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting, three rebounds and one assist. He shot 4-of-8 from 3 and went 4-of-4 on free throws. To demonstrate the Pacers' scoring distribution weirdness, Caruso would've been their top scorer. They had seven players score over 10 points, but nobody scored more than 17. That could be a problem the Thunder could exploit. They at least did so in Game 2. The high turnover rate wasn't there, but the Thunder survived with textbook defense. Especially from the outside, as the Pacers cooled down a bit. Caruso continues to make a case that OKC's acquisition of him could go down as one of the more savvy moves of the last year. Aaron Wiggins: A-plus Sporting a Wiggins shirt in his pregame warmups, Williams looked like Nostradamus four hours later. Sometimes you need your role players to get hot to secure a playoff win. The Thunder received that in bunches in Game 2. Wiggins was another top contributor. He finished with 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting, four rebounds and one assist. He shot 5-of-8 from 3 and went 1-of-2 on free throws. He also had a steal. It was obvious from the start that Wiggins would feel himself. After he first checked in, he spun around Siakam and banked the ball for a layup. That made cashing in on his outside attempts look easy. The Thunder's outside barrage put the Pacers behind on the scoreboard. Despite an inconsistent role, Wiggins continues to be a positive. The Thunder needed his shot-creation. He was another bench player who stepped up and fed off the home crowd in a must-win situation. Highlights:
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Which celebrities are at Game 1 of the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City? See photos, video
If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Pricing and availability are subject to change. The NBA Finals are in town, and the first game has attracted several celebrities and notable figures to Oklahoma City. So who came to watch the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals? Advertisement Here's who we've seen so far. Which celebrities are at the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City? Haley Kalil TikTok star and model Haley Kalil and her boyfriend Kyle Vieira are attending Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Kalil, a Minnesotan living in New York City, told KOCO that while she was hoping either the Minnesota Timberwolves or the New York Knicks would make it to the finals, she is rooting for OKC. Druski Actor, comedian and influencer Drew Desbordes, known by the stage name Druski, was seen courtside at Game 1 of the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City. Jun 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Social media influencer Drew Desbordes, aka Druski, looks on during the first quarter between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers during game one of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Porter Moser The head coach of the University of Oklahoma men's basketball team was seen at Game 1 of the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City. James Goldstein This basketball superfan and courtside legend shared a photo standing behind NBA-TV commentators, including NBA legends Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith and Isiah Thomas, prior to Game 1 of the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City. John Haliburton The father of Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, John Haliburton, was previously banned from attending Pacers games. The ban has since been lifted as he was spotted at Game 1 of the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City, even sharing a moment with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's dad, Vaughn Alexander. Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton's (0) father, John Haliburton, watches the action on the court Thursday, June 5, 2025, during Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. Former NBA stars at the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City Shaquille O'Neal The NBA legend was seen courtside at Game 1 of the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City, as well as crashing the pregame show. Dwight Howard Also known as "Superman," Dwight Howard was spotted taking a photo with a fan as he made his way to his seat at Game 1 of the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Celebrities as OKC Thunder game: See who's at NBA Finals Game 1
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Could we see Caitlin Clark, Drake at NBA Finals? 9 celebrity Thunder, Pacers fans to watch
With the NBA Finals kicking off on Thursday night, Oklahoma City could see a star-studded next couple of weeks at Paycom Center. Both the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers have prominent celebrities in their fan bases. While Okie fans can include Bill Hader, Kristin Chenoweth, James Marsden and courtside fashion icon James Goldstein, the list of Pacers fans also includes heavy hitters as well. Advertisement Pacers fans include actor Mike Epps, "Now You See Me" actor Jesse Eisenberg, talk show host David Letterman, rapper 50 Cent, and WNBA star Caitlin Clark. And then there are fans of the NBA at large who could be making an appearance. These guests could range from former NBA players themselves wishing to watch the action, to different dignitaries with ties to the teams, such as former Vice President and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence. Live: Thunder vs Pacers live score updates More: Where will celebrities eat during NBA Finals? OKC restaurants that have drawn stars before While we don't know just yet who will make an appearance in a suite or a courtside seat, here are some celebrities with ties to the Thunder and Pacers who could make an appearance during the NBA Finals. James Marsden The Marvel Cinematic Universe actor and Oklahoma native may make a stop at some point during the NBA Finals. The actor was previously filming in England for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, so he may want to enjoy the Thunder's first Finals run since 2012. Drake World-famous rapper Drake made waves in 2021 when he was spotted sitting courtside on a Wednesday night to watch a Thunder-Rockets game. Advertisement It's unclear if Drake is a Thunder fan, but in 2021, there was talk that Drake was in town to see an old friend or if he came to support Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who, like Drake, is from Toronto. Gilgeous-Alexander hugged Drake after the game, as did Luguentz Dort, another Thunder by way of Canada. The moment went viral when Drake shared a selfie with "my new parents" Renee, 71, and Jim Stanley, 75, of Oklahoma City to his 97.2 million Instagram followers. Rumble greets Drake during Wednesday's Thunder-Rockets game. Bill Hader Comedian and actor Bill Hader attended Game 2 of the 2012 NBA Finals, the last championship run for the Thunder. Though the Thunder went on to lose against the Miami Heat, Hader was still excited to have a professional team from his home state to cheer on at the top of the league. Actor Bill Hader sits courtside as the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Miami Heat in Game Two of the 2012 NBA Finals at Chesapeake Energy Arena on June 14, 2012 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Kristin Chenoweth The "Wicked" actress shared her support for her home team immediately after the team qualified for the NBA Finals. And if there is a question about her fandom, Chenoweth has performed the national anthem before a game and attended other games throughout the years. Ben Rector The Tulsa native and talented pop singer could be a sign of good luck for the Thunder. Rector opened up Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves with the national anthem, and the Thunder went on to have a 26-point win over the team. Now the singer is on tour during Game 1 against the Pacers, but with a clear schedule, he could make an appearance at a later game. Mike Pence The former Vice President and Indiana Governor Mike Pence is a proud Pacers fan. Though he has not been documented courtside this season, Pence continues to show his support for the Pacers off the court. Caitlin Clark She plays for the Indiana Fever; it's reasonable to assume that the 2024 Rookie of the Year knows Indiana ball. The Indiana Fever are still in the midst of their season, two games removed from the NBA Finals. Due to her schedule, Clark could make an appearance at a game, but whether that's in Indy or OKC is yet to be determined. Terry Crews Terry Crews may be the host of "America's Got Talent," but he always has time for his Pacer team. The "Brooklyn 99" actor was courtside for Game 3 against the New York Knicks. Mike Epps Indiana native Mike Epps is a major part of Pacer Nation. The actor and comedian has been caught courtside for several games and constantly cheers on the Pacers. He is a frequent guest at the Pacers' home arena, so don't rule out his appearance when the Thunder head to Indiana. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: NBA Finals: 9 celebrity Thunder, Pacers fans we might see courtside
