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In a regular-season matchup, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drives to the net for a layup against Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket beside Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

2025 NBA Finals Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers Game 1: How To Watch, Tipoff Time, Odds, and Prediction

By Matt Buxbaum  |  Last updated Jun 5, 2025 4:24 PM ET
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The Pacers live by a simple mantra: "That's not my tempo." But that rhythm won't cut it against OKC's top-ranked NBA postseason defense.

Against all odds, the underdog Pacers have strung together a series of stunning upsets, led by fast-paced basketball that simultaneously empowers the Pacers' core and exhausts opponents. With exceptional performances from Tyrese Haliburton (18.1 PPG) and Pascal Siakam (21.1 PPG), the Indiana Pacers advance to the 2025 NBA finals for the first time since 2000.

Ending a decades-long drought, the Pacers will hope to gain the edge against the Thunder's Big Three — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (29.9 PPG), Chet Holmgren (16.4 PPG), and Jalen Williams (20.4 PPG) — at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The Indiana Pacers enter the series as the clear underdogs, with the Oklahoma City Thunder being 9.5-point favorites for tonight's Game 1 in the 2025 NBA Finals Series. 

When Is the Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder 2025 NBA Finals Game 1?

  • Matchup: Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Date: Thursday, June 5, 2025
  • Time: 8:30 PM ET, 6:30 PM MT, 5:30 PM PT
  • TV Channels: ABC
  • Livestreaming Platforms: Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV, Sling TV, MAX
  • Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
  • Stadium: Paycom Center

How To Watch Game 1 of the Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder 2025 NBA Finals

You'll need access to ABC to watch the Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals. 

Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Finals Game 1 Odds

Odds  Indiana Pacers   Oklahoma City Thunder 
Moneyline +340 -400
Point Spread +9.5 (-110) -9.5 (-110)
Over/Under 231.0 (-110)

Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: Quick Side-by-Side Comparison and What You Need To Know

From an offensive standpoint, the Pacers outmatch OKC. However, Indiana will be faced by a defense unlike anything the Cavaliers and Knicks had to offer in Round 1 and Round 2 of the NBA playoffs. The Thunder have the #1-ranked defense in the 2025 NBA postseason. Indiana’s clutch playmaking and frenetic tempo may not hold up against an OKC defense that locks opponents down tighter than a router’s default Wi-Fi password.

Key Stat Indiana Pacers  Oklahoma City Thunder 
PPG 117.4 117.1
REB 39.6 44.3
FG % 49.7 % 46.4 %
FT % 79.8 % 79.0 %
3-Point % 40.1 % 33.6 %

Who Is Winning Game 1 of the Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder 2025 NBA Finals?

Unfortunately for the Indiana Pacers, their hype, Cinderella run will come to an end. The Oklahoma City Thunder are the 9.5-point favorites for tonight and are taking Game 1. The Pacers will face OKC on their home court and finally meet a team unfazed by tempo-offsetting antics. When OKC wins Game 1, the Thunder will have a 71% chance of taking the entire 2025 Finals Series.