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The stage is set. The 2025 NBA Finals tip off on June 5th, and the matchup is one for the ages, not just because of legacy franchises or coast-to-coast drama, but because of the new blood making their claim to greatness. It’s the Oklahoma City Thunder vs the Indiana Pacers! Two franchises with fresh faces, built from smart trades, long-term strategy, and pure grit.
But this isn’t just about winning a trophy. This Finals is a turning point for the NBA as a whole.
Here's what's at stake and who might walk away with more than just a ring.
The Thunder aren’t just trying to win, they’re expected to.
After a season where Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) took home MVP and Conference Finals MVP honors, OKC is on the verge of something historic. If SGA wins Finals MVP, he’ll become only the 10th player in NBA history to sweep regular season MVP and Finals MVP in the same year.
That’s rarified air. But it also comes with pressure.
Critics have already taken shots at SGA, calling him a “free throw merchant.” If OKC comes up short, those voices will get louder and voters might feel justified in saying Nikola Jokić should’ve won MVP after all. Not to mention the questions that would surround Chet Holmgren, whose postseason emergence could be derailed by one bad series.
“When you are statistically one of the greatest regular season teams in NBA history, losing could come back to haunt you extra hard.”
Still, the Thunder are young, deep, and loaded with assets. With an MVP-level star, a flexible cap sheet, and a war chest of draft picks, OKC has the widest championship window in the league. A loss would sting, but their long-term prospects remain golden. A win, though? The dynasty talk gets very real.
While OKC’s timeline is just opening up, Indiana’s window may be more narrow.
Yes, the Pacers are red-hot. They've knocked out higher seeds, shot lights out from deep, and turned Tyrese Halliburton into a certified superstar. But this might be as good as it gets. Veteran contributors like Myles Turner (set for free agency) may not be back next season.
“This isn’t a team built fora decade of dominance. It’s a team peaking right now.”
Their shooting — 50% from the field,40% from three — puts them in the same statistical neighborhood as the 2014 Spurs, one of the most dominant playoff teams in NBA history. But shooting streaks don’t last forever. This is Indiana’s best shot, and if they fall short, it could be years before they come this close again.
A title would silence critics who downplay the Pacers’ run due to injuries to opposing teams. More importantly, it would validate Haliburton, who was voted “most overrated” in an anonymous player poll earlier this year.
The Paul George Domino Effect
This Finals is also the culmination of one of the most consequential trades in recent memory. OKC and Indiana bothflipped Paul George into franchise centerpieces — SGA for the Thunder, and eventually Haliburton for the Pacers (via Sabonis). It’s rare to see both sides of a blockbuster trade reach the Finals within a few years.
Legacy on the Line
● SGA has the chance to eclipse Thunder legends like Durant and Westbrook if he delivers OKC’s first title as the Thunder.
● Haliburton could place himself alongside Reggie Miller in Pacers lore, particularly if he leads them to their first-ever NBA championship.
Ring Number Two?
Two role players, Alex Caruso and Pascal Siakam, are chasing their second titles — Caruso from the Lakers’ 2020 run and Siakam from the Raptors’ 2019 win. It’s a small subplot, but it underscores the experience gap between the two rosters.
According to Sporting News and current betting lines, the Oklahoma City Thunder enter as favourites, primarily due to their deep roster, elite defense, and SGA’s offensive versatility. The Thunder have been dominant all postseason, with Chet Holmgren providing elite rim protection and Jalen Williams thriving as a secondary playmaker.
But Indiana is not to be underestimated. They're shooting the ball at a historic clip and have consistently outperformed expectations. If Haliburton can control tempo and the Pacers' supporting cast stays hot, this could go the distance.
According to our ‘To The Baha’ crew we have a unanimous vote for OKC leading the series 4-2 taking the win, but it’s about to be a dog fight.
Whatever happens, one thing's certain: this won’t just crown a champion. It will shape the narrative of the NBA for years to come.
Who do you think takes home the 2025 title — the Pacers orthe Thunder? Drop your predictions in the comments below.
