Rick Carlisle Doesn't Hold Back on Pacers-Thunder NBA Finals Matchup
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The NBA Finals are officially set, with the Oklahoma City Thunder taking on the Indiana Pacers. Both teams used a dominant run in the playoffs to get to this point, setting up what should be an entertaining series of basketball.
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While the two teams come from smaller markets, fans should be excited about the on-court matchup. Both sides love to run up and down the court, and each team has young superstars to showcase.
This is only the second time that either team has made it to the NBA Finals, with both sides looking for their first titles. But Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle understands all too well that just making the NBA Finals isn't worth celebrating.
"This is the sixth time that I've been to an NBA Finals. Three as a player. one as an assistant coach twice as a head coach. This is no time to be popping champagne.", he said.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MARCH 29: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball over Pascal Siakam #43 of the Indiana Pacers during the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers Paycom Center...
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MARCH 29: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball over Pascal Siakam #43 of the Indiana Pacers during the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers Paycom Center on March 29, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. More
Photo byCarlisle knows what it means to both win and lose in the NBA Finals. The veteran head coach will likely try to instill this mindset into his team as they get ready for the biggest basketball games of the year.
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Entering the series, Oklahoma City is the heavy favorite, but the Pacers have been sneaky all playoffs long. The Thunder are one of the best defensive teams that the league has ever seen, and they were the best team all year.
Carlisle also opened up about the matchup with this Thunder team. The head coach wasn't shy about hyping up the pure domination that Oklahoma City has done all year long.
"We understand the challenge of the opponent. Oklahoma City has been dominant all year with all capital letters. DOMINANT.", he said.
The Thunder took both games from the Pacers during the regular season, but this is a new version of Indiana. The Pacers have been one of the best teams in the entire NBA since the second half of the year, and will look to finish off this Cinderella run.
Game 1 between the two teams is set to kick off on Thursday, June 5, at 8:30 p.m. ET.
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