The Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder have each made it to the NBA Finals, and each team will now go head-to-head in hopes of hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
For the Pacers, this is their second NBA Finals appearance in franchise history, and their first since losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000. As for the Thunder, this is technically their second NBA Finals appearance and first since losing to the Miami Heat in 2012. However, they have three other NBA Finals appearances, including a series victory in 1979 as the Seattle Supersonics.
En route to an NBA Finals appearance, the Pacers beat the Milwaukee Bucks, the No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers, and the New York Knicks. The Thunder, on the other hand, defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves during their playoff run.
Here is the full schedule for the 2025 NBA Finals between the Pacers and Thunder, including dates, times, and how to watch.
Pacers vs. Thunder 2025 NBA Finals schedule
Game | Date | Time | Home vs. Away | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Thurs. 6/5 | 8:30 PM EST | Thunder vs. Pacers | ABC |
2 | Sun. 6/8 | 8:00 PM EST | Thunder vs. Pacers | ABC |
3 | Wed. 6/11 | 8:30 PM EST | Pacers vs. Thunder | ABC |
4 | Fri. 6/13 | 8:30 PM EST | Pacers vs. Thunder | ABC |
5* | Mon. 6/16 | TBD | Thunder vs. Pacers | ABC |
6* | Thurs. 6/19 | TBD | Pacers vs. Thunder | ABC |
7* | Sun. 6/22 | TBD | Thunder vs. Pacers | ABC |
*if necessary
The 2025 NBA Finals will begin in Oklahoma City on Thursday, June 5, and will go on until potentially Sunday, June 22. Each game of the series will be aired on ABC and will air at either 8 or 8:30 PM EST. The series will not head to Indiana until Game 3, which is set to take place on Wednesday, June 11.
Indiana and Oklahoma City met up twice during the regular season. The Thunder won each game by a combined 27 points.
On paper, this should be a fantastic NBA Finals matchup. The Thunder had the best record in the league at 68-14. Additionally, they statistically ranked as one of the best defensive teams in league history, and they were led by reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
As for Indiana, not many expected them to make it this far, especially after their slow start to the season. However, they got to the NBA Finals by having one of the fastest offenses in the league, and they drastically improved on the defensive side of the ball as well. Both teams have tremendous depth and quality at multiple positions, which is a big reason they were both able to make it as far as they have.
Most consider the Thunder the favorites to win this series, but the Pacers have made it a habit of exceeding expectations and shocking the basketball world. Whether that happens again this time around remains to be seen. Regardless, both teams have what it takes to win it all, but only one of them will come out on top.