OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The Indiana Pacers have drawn first blood in the 2025 NBA Finals, securing a stunning 111-110 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in a thrilling series opener on Thursday night.

Key Insights:

• Series Score – The Indiana Pacers lead the best-of-seven series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, 1-0.
• Game 1 Result – The Pacers defeated the Thunder 111-110 in Oklahoma City, overcoming the odds as the series underdog.
• Next Game – Game 2 is scheduled for Sunday, June 8, at 8:00 p.m. ET, and will also be played in Oklahoma City.

The opening game of the NBA’s championship series delivered immediate drama, with the Eastern Conference’s fourth-seeded Pacers continuing their remarkable postseason run against the Western Conference’s top-seeded Thunder.

How The Pacers Stole Home Court Advantage

In a back-and-forth contest, the Indiana Pacers managed to erase a halftime deficit to ultimately edge out the heavily favored Oklahoma City Thunder. The final moments of the game saw clutch performances that ultimately sealed the one-point victory for the visitors.

For the Pacers, Pascal Siakam led the scoring with 19 points, while Tyrese Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard each contributed 6 assists. On the other side, Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put up a game-high 38 points in a losing effort. The result immediately shifts the dynamic of the series, stripping the Thunder of their home-court advantage. What adjustments will Oklahoma City make to counter Indiana’s momentum in Game 2?

The Road to an Unlikely Finals Matchup

This year’s Finals features a historic matchup between two small-market teams that have not won an NBA title in their current cities. The Thunder, led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the West, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves to reach their first Finals since 2012.

The Pacers’ journey was more of a surprise. As the fourth seed in the East, they dispatched the Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New York Knicks. Their victory in Game 1 marks a continuation of a postseason defined by overcoming expectations. This series guarantees the NBA will crown its seventh different champion in seven years, the longest such streak in league history.

What’s Next in the 2025 NBA Finals?

With a crucial 1-0 series lead, the Pacers will look to take a commanding position before the series shifts to their home court. The Thunder, on the other hand, face pressure to even the series at home to avoid a significant deficit.

Here is the full schedule for the remainder of the 2025 NBA Finals, with all games being broadcast on ABC:

• Game 2: Pacers at Thunder, Sunday, June 8, 8:00 p.m. ET
• Game 3: Thunder at Pacers, Wednesday, June 11, 8:30 p.m. ET
• Game 4: Thunder at Pacers, Friday, June 13, 8:30 p.m. ET
• Game 5 (if necessary): Pacers at Thunder, Monday, June 16, 8:30 p.m. ET
• Game 6 (if necessary): Thunder at Pacers, Thursday, June 19, 8:30 p.m. ET
• Game 7 (if necessary): Pacers at Thunder, Sunday, June 22, 8:00 p.m. ET