2025 NBA Finals: Everything you need to know ahead of Pacers-Thunder series

Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers meet in the NBA Finals on Thursday, June 5 at 8:30 p.m. ET ( ABC ) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 45 points for the Thunder in a 32 -point win over the Pacers .

The Pacers had rolled their eyes four months earlier when the schedule read that they weren't on Christmas Day , despite making the conference finals.

It was the 20th consecutive year they'd been deemed not worthy of a Christmas game.

Oklahoma City needed only five games to finish off the Minnesota Timberwolves in the West finals.

The Thunder's fourth win by a margin of 30 points or more during this playoff run is the most by any team in a single postseason.

Oklahoma City's defense is a remarkable blend of relentless pressure, swarming help, elite playmaking and togetherness.

The Pacers have posted the second -best offensive efficiency in the playoffs at 117.7 points per 100 possessions.

Oklahoma City is the second -youngest team (average age: 25.6 years ) to advance to the Finals, trailing only the Portland Trail Blazers' 1976-77 championship team.

The Thunder enters the Finals as a heavy favorite, and it's easy to envision the Thunder becoming June regulars.

Oklahoma City's defense will easily be the toughest challenge for the Pacers to solve.