The stage is set in Oklahoma City as the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder prepare to clash in Game 1 of the NBA Finals tonight, June 5, 2025. This matchup pits the Eastern Conference's Indiana Pacers against the Western Conference's Oklahoma City Thunder, promising a captivating series.
The Oklahoma City Thunder enter the Finals as the favorites, backed by a strong regular season record of 68-14, tying them for the sixth-best in NBA history. Their journey to the finals included a 4-1 series victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals. Led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and rising stars Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, the Thunder are making their first Finals appearance since 2012.
Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers arrive as a formidable challenger from the Eastern Conference. Overcoming stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Donovan Mitchell, and Jalen Brunson, the Pacers are determined to claim their first NBA title. Their offense is potent and their team is considered deep, making them a dangerous opponent for the Thunder.
The game tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City and will be broadcast on ABC. For those without cable, streaming options are available through the ESPN App and ESPN.com with a valid TV provider account. Streaming services like fuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DirecTV Stream also offer access to the game.
Magic Johnson has expressed his excitement for the series, highlighting the matchup between Tyrese Haliburton and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Both teams' fast-paced style and defensive capabilities promise an engaging contest.
One bettor in Las Vegas placed a significant $1.05 million wager on the Oklahoma City Thunder to win the series, indicating strong confidence in their victory. Despite the odds favoring the Thunder, public bettors at BetMGM are backing the Pacers to win the series.
The Thunder are currently favored by 9.5 points in Game 1.
