The highly anticipated 2025 NBA Finals begin tonight as the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center, with the first game scheduled to tip off at 8:30 PM ET. The Thunder, led by star player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, are aiming for their first title since relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008. They previously made a Finals appearance in 2012, where they fell short against LeBron James’ Miami Heat.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s stellar performance has propelled the Thunder to a franchise-best 68 wins this regular season, where he also topped the league in scoring with an average of 32.7 points per game. He was recognized as the Magic Johnson trophy winner during the Western Conference Finals, where the Thunder had an impressive postseason run, losing just four games thus far and achieving the feat of being one of only four teams to win 80 games before the Finals.
Despite the excitement, Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized the need for continued focus and effort. “This isn’t our goal. We want to win the NBA championship. Now we are a step closer to our goal and we’re happy about that. But it’s still four more games to go win,” he stated, underlining the challenge that lies ahead.
On the other hand, the Indiana Pacers are also vying for their first-ever NBA championship. Their last trip to the Finals was in 2000, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Pacers have shown resilience throughout this postseason, notably coming back from being down by 17 points in four different games, a record in a single playoffs. Key performances from All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton and Eastern Conference Finals MVP Pascal Siakam have played a crucial role in their postseason success.
Tonight’s matchup promises to be a thrilling contest, showcasing two teams eager to seize their moment after years of building competitive rosters. Fans can tune in to ABC to catch all the action as these teams compete for ultimate glory.
Looking ahead, this Finals has the potential to not only crown the next NBA champion but also to spotlight emerging stars and team dynamics in a league that continues to evolve.