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Thunder Coach Has a Message For Pacers’ Rick Carlisle Before NBA Finals

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zachary Rainey | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 5:39 PM ET

The Oklahoma City Thunder are gearing up for their first appearance in the NBA Finals since 2012. Fans of the Thunder hope this trip will prove more fruitful than the last, when they fell to LeBron James and the Miami Heat in five games.

The Thunder have displayed dominance throughout the NBA Playoffs and completed the gentleman's sweep of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hasn't missed a beat since being awarded the NBA's Most Valuable Player. With many players, their production decreases, even just slightly, as they advance deeper in the playoffs, but not Gilgeous-Alexander.

Thunder coach has message for Pacers' Rick Carlisle

The Thunder will play host to the Pacers for the first two games after finishing with the NBA's best record in the regular season. Even when the series goes to Indiana, the Thunder were one of the best road teams in the league this season, so the loud crowd won't be anything new.

Ahead of the series, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault delivered a message regarding Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle.

“I have a lot of respect for him. He’s had an unbelievable life in basketball… He’s forgotten more about the game than most of us have seen," said Daigneault.

Mark Daigneault on Rick Carlisle: “I have a lot of respect for him. He’s had an unbelievable life in basketball… He’s forgotten more about the game than most of us have seen.” pic.twitter.com/mGjkJwJtN7
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) June 1, 2025

It'll be a matchup of youth versus old wisdom. Daigneault is just 40 years old and has been a head coach since 2020. Carlisle's first coaching job was with the Detroit Pistons in 2001.

This is Carlisle's second stint with the Pacers, as he was the head coach during the now-infamous "Malice in the Palace." However, he's known for his tenure with the Dallas Mavericks, where he won an NBA Title in 2011.

While the product on the court will be fantastic, many fans will be excited to see the coaching battle between the two teams and the types of adjustments they make as the series progresses.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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