Thunder vs Pacers NBA Finals Game 1 Preview: Biggest Questions, Start Time, Prediction
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals is almost ready to kick off with the Oklahoma City Thunder facing off against the Indiana Pacers. Both sides enter this series having gone 12-4 during the postseason, offering a very competitive matchup.
More NBA Finals news: Bold NBA Finals Prediction Has Thunder Sweep Pacers
Between the two teams, there is some real firepower on the court. Combined, there are four All-Stars in this series: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Tyrese Haliburton, and Pascal Siakam.
Oklahoma City also boasts the current NBA MVP in Gilgeous-Alexander. Gilgeous-Alexander also led the league in scoring this season with 32.7 points per game, finishing off one of the more impressive years from a player in recent memory.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MARCH 29: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers brings the ball up court around Cason Wallace #22 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Paycom Center on...
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MARCH 29: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers brings the ball up court around Cason Wallace #22 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Paycom Center on March 29, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. More
Photo byBut Indiana has been one of the better teams since the start of 2025. The Pacers have gone 46-18 since Jan. 1, giving them one of the best records across the entire association.
The two teams may come from smaller markets, but basketball-wise, the NBA couldn't have asked for a better matchup. Here are some of the biggest questions around Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
What time does the game start?
Game 1 of the NBA Finals starts at 8:30 p.m. ET from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
How many championships have the Thunder won?
The Oklahoma City franchise has never won a title as the Thunder. But before the team moved to Oklahoma City, they did win a championship in 1979 as the Seattle Supersonics.
The Thunder have made one other NBA Finals, losing to the Miami Heat in 2012.
How many championships have the Pacers won?
The Pacers have never won a title in franchise history. This appearance in the NBA Finals is only the second time that the team has reached this point.
Indiana lost in the 2000 NBA Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Who won the season series?
Oklahoma City took both games against the Pacers this year.
Dec. 26, 2024: Oklahoma City defeated Indiana on the road, 120-114
March 29, 2025: Oklahoma City defeated Indiana at home, 132-111
NBA Finals Game 1 Prediction:
Thunder 114, Pacers 106
Indiana will put up a fight in Game 1, but the Thunder will use the home-court advantage to help them grab a series lead. Oklahoma City went 35-6 at home during the regular season, and they have been dominant during the postseason as well.
The Pacers have grabbed early series leads so far in the postseason, but the magic stops here in the NBA Finals.
More NBA Finals news:
NBA Finals Set to Feature Uncommon Matchup Missing for Almost Two Decades
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