Oklahoma City Thunder face the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals, starting on Thursday night. The Thunder booked their place in their first national finals since 2012 with a 4-1 series win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals. In the east, the Pacers beat the New York Knicks 4-2 to reach their second national finals and first since 2000. Before the final,BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything teamlooks at what to watch out for in during the best-of-seven series. Send us your questions Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the third Oklahoma City Thunder player in history to win the NBA's Most Valuable Player award Game 1 - at OklahomaThursday, 5 June - 20:30 local time (01:30 Friday 6 June BST) Game 2 - at OklahomaSunday, 8 June - 20:00 local time (01:00 Monday 9 June BST) Game 3 - at IndianaWednesday, 11 June - 20:30 local time (01:30 Thursday 12 June BST) Game 4 - at IndianaFriday, 13 June - 20:30 local time (01:30 Saturday 14 June BST) Game 5 - at OklahomaMonday, 16 June - 20:30 local time (01:30 Tuesday 17 June BST) Game 6 - at IndianaThursday, 19 June - 20:30 local time (01:30 Friday 20 June BST) Game 7 - at OklahomaSunday, 22 June - 20:00 local time (01:00 Monday 23 June BST) All seven matches of the NBA finals will be showing in the United Kingdom via TNT Sports and discovery+. As far as historic NBA longevity goes, a final between the Thunder and the Pacers is one that is a surprise to many. The Pacers are only here for the second time in their history, while the Thunder are only making their fourth finals outing themselves. Spearheaded by Olympic champion Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers are among the 10 active franchises never to win the NBA's national championship. The Thunder's only NBA finals crown came in 1979 when they were the Seattle Sonics, meaning no Oklahoma-based side has won the competition. The Larry O'Brien Trophy will head to a new state for the first time in either Indiana or Oklahoma. This season, Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander became the first Canadian to win the NBA's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award since Steven Nash in 2006. A finals win with Olkahoma could also see him join an exclusive club with some of basketball's all-time greats. Not since 2015 has the season MVP gone on to win the finals with their franchise that season, with the last being Steph Curry. Better known as 'SGA', Gilgeous-Alexander is the third Thunder player to be named MVP after Kevin Durant (2014) and Russell Westbrook (2017). SGA could join the likes of LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird as an MVP and NBA champion. The two finalists have met twice already this season, coming in December in Indiana and March in Oklahoma. On both occasions, the Thunder came out on top. Between Christmas and New Year, the Thunder were 120-114 winners on the road and they beat the Pacers 132-111 in March. During the play-offs, the Thunder recorded wins in 12 of their 16 games, including a 4-0 sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round. The Pacers have an identical record. Tyrese Haliburton celebrated with a choke celebration after taking game one of the Easter Conference finals to overtime with a buzzer beater A major factor in the Pacers reaching a first finals in 25 years has been their ability to overturn games that have at times, seemed close to impossible to do so. In game five of their play-off first-round meeting with the Milwaukee Bucks, the Pacers found themselves 118-111 down with 40 seconds of overtime remaining, only for Andrew Nembhard to nail a three-pointer and Haliburton to score five unanswered points for a 119-118 victory. Trailing by 14 points in the third quarter of game two in the Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Thunder were 119-112 down with 57 seconds left, but recorded a 120-119 victory as Haliburton found a three-pointer with one second remaining. A hat-trick of memorable play-off comebacks again had Haliburton at the heart of it. In the first game of the Eastern Conference finals, the Pacers trailed 121-112 to the Knicks with 52 seconds remaining of regular time. As the buzzer sounded, Haliburton's long-range shot with one foot on the three-point line bounced up off the rim and dropped in for two points, sending the game to overtime before the Pacers won 135-134. The Pacers could need their ability to dig deep into games against a Thunder side that averaged 3.1 more points per game than them in the regular season. The Thunder have got the home-court advantage for the seven-game series, meaning they will host games one, two, five and seven, should all seven matches be required. This is because the Western Conference champions had a significantly better record during the 82-game regular season, winning 68 matches to the Pacers' 50. Since the Pacers' previous finals appearance in 2000, 16 of the 25 teams with home-court advantage have won the finals. However, each of the 2024, 2023 and 2022 finalists with home-court advantage failed to make it count. This article is the latest from BBC Sport'sAsk Me Anythingteam. Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions. We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do. The team will find out everything you need to know and be able to call upon a network of contacts including our experts and pundits. We will be answering your questions from the heart of the BBC Sport newsroom, and going behind the scenes at some of the world's biggest sporting events. Our coverage will span the BBC Sport website, app, social media and YouTube accounts, plus BBC TV and radio. Epsom Derby start time, horses and previous winners How is the Ballon d'Or winner decided? What does the new Premier League ball look like? What are penalty points in F1 and how do they work?
Thunder v Pacers - which storylines will define NBA Finals?
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers Set for 2025 NBA Finals Showdown"
Bbc News
8.0
TruthLens AI Summary
The 2025 NBA Finals will showcase a compelling matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers, commencing on Thursday night. This marks the Thunder's first appearance in the national finals since 2012, following a decisive 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals. Conversely, the Pacers secured their place in the finals for the first time since 2000 by overcoming the New York Knicks with a 4-2 series win. Both teams have demonstrated resilience throughout their playoff runs, with the Thunder boasting an impressive record of 12 wins out of 16 playoff games, including a perfect sweep against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round. The Pacers, led by Olympic champion Tyrese Haliburton, have also achieved a 12-4 playoff record, showcasing their ability to stage remarkable comebacks in critical moments. For instance, Haliburton's clutch performances have been pivotal in securing victories against formidable opponents during the Eastern Conference playoffs.
As the series begins, several storylines will be pivotal in determining the outcome. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder, who recently won the NBA's Most Valuable Player award, is aiming to cement his legacy by leading his team to victory in the finals. If successful, he would join the ranks of NBA greats who have achieved both MVP and championship honors in the same season. The Thunder's home-court advantage could play a crucial role, as they will host games one, two, five, and seven if the series extends to a full seven games. Historically, teams with home-court advantage have fared well in the finals, although recent trends suggest that this advantage is not always guaranteed. Meanwhile, the Pacers will need to leverage their knack for late-game comebacks to compete against a Thunder team that averaged more points per game during the regular season. This finals series promises to be a thrilling contest between two franchises eager to secure their first championship title, as the Larry O'Brien Trophy awaits its new home in either Indiana or Oklahoma.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article provides an overview of the upcoming 2025 NBA Finals, featuring the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers. It highlights the significance of this matchup, detailing the teams' historical context, key players, and the implications of this series for both franchises. The narrative is constructed to build excitement and engagement among basketball fans, serving not just as a sports update but also as a cultural event.
Historical Context and Significance
The Thunder's appearance in the finals marks their first since 2012, while the Pacers have not reached this stage since 2000. This context adds a layer of intrigue, as both teams are striving for their first championship in their current locations. By emphasizing the rarity of this matchup, the article aims to cultivate a sense of urgency and importance among fans, making it a must-watch event.
Key Players and Storylines
The mention of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander winning the MVP award and Tyrese Haliburton leading the Pacers sets the stage for individual narratives that can draw in viewers. Highlighting star players serves to personalize the competition, inviting fans to rally behind their favorites. This strategy not only enhances viewership but also fosters community engagement as fans share in the narratives of their teams and players.
Media Strategy and Audience Engagement
The article encourages audience interaction by inviting questions from fans. This tactic serves to create a dialogue, making readers feel involved in the coverage and enhancing the overall experience. By positioning the article as part of a broader conversation, it seeks to build a dedicated following and increase engagement with the event.
Potential Economic and Social Impact
The finals are likely to have significant implications for both Oklahoma and Indiana, particularly in terms of local economies benefiting from increased tourism and viewership. This could affect local businesses and even have a ripple effect on community morale. The article hints at these broader impacts, suggesting that the outcome of the finals may resonate beyond the court.
Manipulative Elements
While the article primarily serves to inform and excite, there are elements that could be seen as manipulative. The emphasis on the rarity of the matchup and the historical context may lead readers to perceive this event as more significant than other finals. Additionally, the narrative could foster a sense of rivalry or division among fans, which could be seen as a form of emotional manipulation to increase engagement.
The overall trustworthiness of the article is bolstered by its factual basis—citing historical records, player achievements, and upcoming game schedules. However, the framing of the narrative and the focus on emotional engagement suggest a layer of manipulation aimed at maximizing audience engagement.