Nick Wright, prominent sports media personality, has weighed in on the highly anticipated 2025 NBA Finals matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers on "The Herd." While acknowledging the Pacers' impressive run and exciting style of play, Wright ultimately believes that the Thunder possess the edge in this series.
Wright points to several key factors that favor Oklahoma City. First and foremost, he highlights the individual brilliance of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA). Wright consistently emphasizes that SGA is not only a superstar but also a remarkably mature leader, someone who seems unfazed by the pressures of the Finals. He notes that SGA's scoring prowess, combined with his ability to draw fouls and control the game's tempo, makes him a difficult matchup for any team, including the Pacers.
Furthermore, Wright emphasizes Oklahoma City's defensive capabilities. He notes that the Thunder's defense has been stifling throughout the playoffs, and their ability to limit Indiana's penetration and force them into difficult shots will be crucial. He specifically mentions Luguentz Dort's physicality as a potential problem for Tyrese Haliburton. Wright also praises the Thunder's depth, arguing that they have more quality players who can contribute on both ends of the floor.
While Wright acknowledges Haliburton's talent, he suggests that the young point guard may be facing a challenge unlike any he's seen thus far in the postseason. He points out that in Game 2, Haliburton only managed 5 points through the first three quarters, a concerning sign for a player who is expected to lead the Pacers' offense.
Wright also touches upon the Pacers' over-reliance on three-point shooting. While Indiana has been incredibly efficient from beyond the arc throughout the playoffs, Wright suggests that the Thunder's defense will make those shots more difficult to come by. He notes that OKC is comfortable allowing corner three-pointers, but they will contest those shots aggressively and force the Pacers to make tough decisions.
While Wright leans towards the Thunder, he doesn't dismiss the Pacers' chances entirely. He recognizes their ability to mount comebacks and their overall offensive firepower. However, he believes that for Indiana to win, they need everything to go right. They need Haliburton to play at an MVP level, their role players to continue hitting their shots at a high clip, and their defense to find a way to contain SGA and the Thunder's other offensive weapons.
In various appearances, Wright has made it clear that he views the Thunder as the superior team. He even went as far as to say that the NBA season "ended" after the Thunder's Game 4 win over the Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals, implying that no team in the East would be able to defeat them. He also stated that the Thunder winning the championship would be a result of them being the best team from day one, not due to injury luck or an easy path.
Ultimately, Nick Wright's analysis suggests that while the Indiana Pacers are a formidable opponent, the Oklahoma City Thunder possess the star power, depth, and defensive capabilities to win the 2025 NBA Finals. He sees the series potentially going 5 or 6 games, with SGA likely to be the Finals MVP.
