Series: Indiana Pacers Lead 1-0
Game 1 Score: Pacers 111, Thunder 110
The 2025 NBA Finals series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers kicked off with a dramatic showdown in Game 1. Despite trailing for the entire game until the final second, the Indiana Pacers pulled off a stunning 111-110 road victory over the heavily favored Thunder, immediately injecting significant excitement into the series.
For the vast majority of Game 1, the Thunder appeared to be in control. Oklahoma City dictated the pace and intensity, forcing the typically careful Indiana team into a staggering 24 turnovers, while the Thunder committed only six. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder`s star, delivered a strong performance with 38 points, seemingly outplaying his counterpart, Tyrese Haliburton, for the first 47 minutes and 40 seconds.
However, as the Pacers have demonstrated repeatedly throughout these playoffs, a game isn`t decided until the final buzzer. While the Thunder took 16 more shots overall, the Pacers compensated by hitting significantly more three-pointers (18 compared to the Thunder`s 11) and improving their shot selection in the crucial moments.
This strategic shift allowed Indiana, a team known for remarkable comebacks, to position themselves for another late-game surge. In the final seconds, Gilgeous-Alexander missed a critical mid-range shot that could have sealed the win for OKC. Then, Tyrese Haliburton, despite a quiet game by his standards until then, delivered the decisive blow, hitting a spectacular shot with just 0.3 seconds remaining to give the Pacers their first and only lead of the game, securing the victory.
Key Takeaways from Game 1:
Ball Security is Paramount: The stark contrast in turnover numbers (24 for Pacers, 6 for Thunder) highlights OKC`s defensive strength when applied consistently. However, Indiana significantly reduced their errors in the second half, enabling their high-powered offense to finally find its rhythm and outscore the Thunder 66-45 in the final two quarters.
Three-Point Battle: Indiana`s ability to knock down 18 threes, including a hot 6-for-10 in the fourth quarter, was crucial in overcoming the turnover disadvantage and the Thunder`s higher shot volume. OKC`s relative struggles from beyond the arc (11-for-30) proved costly.
Pacers` Playoff Resilience: This Game 1 victory marks the third straight series in which the Pacers have stolen the opener on the road. Their repeated ability to come back from deficits, highlighted by Haliburton`s clutch shot, makes them a dangerous opponent who can never be counted out, regardless of the score.
Thunder Need a Full 48 Minutes: Oklahoma City`s defense was stifling in the first half, forcing turnovers and disrupting Indiana`s flow. However, they failed to maintain that intensity after halftime. For Game 2, the Thunder must find a way to sustain their elite defense for the entire game and ensure their offense doesn`t become stagnant in crunch time.
Looking Ahead to Game 2:
History suggests teams that lose Game 1 at home typically bounce back strongly in Game 2. However, the Pacers have defied this trend twice already in these playoffs, winning Game 2 on the road after taking Game 1. The challenge for Indiana will be to maintain their focus and intensity against a Thunder team that is rarely beaten consecutively. For Oklahoma City, Game 2 is a crucial opportunity to reassert control, clean up offensive execution, and deploy their disruptive defense for a full contest.