From Rebuilds to Glory: Thunder and Pacers Face Off in Star-Studded NBA Finals
With a dominant win over the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Indiana Pacers punched their ticket to the NBA Finals. Their opponent? The surging Oklahoma City Thunder, who closed out the Minnesota Timberwolves in just five games out West.
And at the center of it all are two superstars who couldn’t be more different — or more essential.
On one side, you’ve got Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who just became the first point guard to win MVP since Russell Westbrook did it for the same franchise back in 2017. SGA isn’t just good — he’s surgical. He slashes, glides, draws contact like a magnet, and gets buckets with an eerie ease. Critics might dismiss him as a “free-throw merchant,” but when you’re watching him operate, it’s hard not to wonder — is this the most complete scoring guard we’ve seen since MJ? Or at least since Kobe?
He averaged a blistering 32.7 points on absurdly efficient shooting — 52% from the field, 38% from three, and 90% from the line — plus 6.4 assists, 5 boards, and nearly 3 combined steals and blocks per game during the regular season. In the playoffs? He’s still at 30 points a night with 6 assists and 7 boards. That puts him in the rarest of company: Jordan, LeBron, Jokić.
Across from him stands Tyrese Haliburton — different vibe, same level of impact. He’s Indiana’s maestro, orchestrating chaos that somehow never devolves into mistakes. He’s quick, precise, and makes you pay with a smile. That Game 4 masterclass — 32 points, 15 assists, zero turnovers — was a mic drop.
During the regular season, Haliburton averaged 18.6 points on 47/39/85 splits, with over 9 assists a game. In the playoffs, he’s upped his play to a 19-6-10 line, joining Jokić, Magic, and Cousy as the only players to hit those numbers on the road to the Finals.
This matchup is a contrast in styles — a silky assassin versus a joyful juggler — and neither team would be here without them.
Now, if you’re an Indiana fan, there’s some baggage to reckon with. The Thunder swept the Pacers during the regular season, and those games weren’t close — at least not for Haliburton. In their first meeting, the day after Christmas, SGA dropped 45 points while Haliburton managed just 4. It was one of his quietest nights of the year, and his involvement in the offense hit a season-low.
Their second meeting wasn’t much kinder. Gilgeous-Alexander again got the better of him, 33 to 18, and Haliburton dished just 3 assists. When his usage dips below average — like it did both times vs. OKC — Indiana’s win rate takes a nosedive.
Still, it’s worth noting that Haliburton and SGA rarely guarded each other. Andrew Nembhard took on the SGA assignment, and the numbers weren’t great for Indiana. Gilgeous-Alexander lit it up on 61% shooting during that matchup, and the Thunder’s offensive rating during those possessions was sky-high — literally historic.
That’s the thing about the Thunder. Everyone talks about their fast pace and explosive scoring, but defensively? They’re elite. In fact, their regular-season defense was the best in the NBA, and the gap between them and the next-best defense was about the same as the gap between No. 2 and No. 8. Translation: they’re in a class of their own.
But don’t sleep on the Pacers. They play fast, efficient, and take care of the ball. Their turnover rate was one of the best in the league — and even better in the postseason. The problem? Oklahoma City forces more turnovers than anyone, and they did just that in both regular season meetings — winning the turnover battle by a wide margin and turning those into easy points.
OKC’s defense is stacked: Lu Dort, a first-team All-Defensive pest; Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso, who could easily have made that list; SGA and Jalen Williams, both two-way threats; and rim-protectors like Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren. It’s borderline unfair.
The Pacers’ offense, when Haliburton was on the court against the Thunder, cratered. Their 105.7 offensive rating in those matchups would’ve ranked dead last over a full season. Only one team defended him better: the lowly Charlotte Hornets, who somehow handed Indiana two of its worst losses all year.
Despite all that, this Finals has serious potential. Forget the TV market size. Forget the national buzz. These are two legit teams that earned their shot. And while the Thunder may be favored, Indiana isn’t just happy to be here.
Nembhard, Nesmith, Turner — these guys play with grit. They’re tough, smart, and unafraid of the moment. Don’t be surprised if this series gets feisty.
What’s truly worth celebrating here is how both teams built something sustainable — something real — in small markets. Indiana didn’t tank; they rebuilt while staying competitive, made shrewd draft picks, added Haliburton and Siakam, and grew something organically.
Oklahoma City went the other route. They tore it down, stockpiled picks, and built patiently. Gilgeous-Alexander came in that massive Paul George trade — and two of the five picks from that deal turned into Williams and Wallace. Holmgren was a lottery reward for their patience. President Sam Presti has been playing 4D chess this whole time.
Funny enough, Indiana’s rebuild started with Paul George, too. He brought them to two East Finals, then got flipped for Domantas Sabonis, who turned into Haliburton. Maybe Philly should take notes and trade George too — just kidding… sort of.
But seriously — it’s proof that there’s more than one road to the mountaintop. And that’s a win for basketball fans everywhere.
