If NBA history has ever been thrilling to you, the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder timeline is what you shouldn’t miss out on. This is where we see the Eastern grit meets Western speed. Truly a fascinatingly memorable drama set for the ages.
Today in this timeline of the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder, we will let you in on the legendary playoff battles, Finals heartbreaks, and oh, who can forget those record breaks!
Find head-to-head stats and the real sneak peak into the Finals fireworks in this authoritative resource.
Table of Contents
NBA Franchise Chronicles of Indiana Pacers vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Some background to those new and those who want to look back.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers are great defenders and with a team-first ethos, they’re truly the symbol of Midwestern resistance. The journey from dominating ABA with three championships in the 1970s to becoming NBA contenders actually reached the newest heights this year in 2025.
The dynamic guard who is Tyrese Haliburton, then the athletic scorer, Bennedict Mathurin, and the versatile player and rising star, Pascal Siakam took Indiana to the more professional trip to the finals of the NBA.
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Oklahoma City Thunder
The Seattle SuperSonics’ legacy gave rise to the Thunder. It was a ‘storm’ to the Oklahoma City in 2008.
This NBA franchise went high up in 2025 too, and got the first ever NBA title as OKC. Who fueled it? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP play. And of course, the contributions from Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams can’t be ignored.
The Thunder crowd? Rocking the Paycom Center nightly.
Rivalry Timeline: Head-to-Head Records & Key Series – Indiana Pacers vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Let’s analyse the regular season and playoff matches first in the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder rivalry.
All-Time Regular Season & Playoff Matches
The favours have now tilted to the West. The OKC’s arrival got the meetings started between the Pacers and Thunder. But overall, in the recent years, there’s a highly competitive balance with winning streaks and close, hard-nosed calls. Have a looksie here.
| Year | Series | Outcome | Pacers Wins | Thunder Wins |
| 2025 | NBA Finals | Thunder 4-3 Pacers | 3 | 4 |
- Historical Note: This was Thunder’s first championship in Oklahoma City, and Pacers’ second NBA Finals appearance (their ABA titles not counted as NBA).
- Previous matchups mostly regular season, no prior playoff series until 2025.
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The 2025 NBA Finals: Drama, Injuries, and Breakout Stars
The Pacers and Thunder came up with a classic and it was a seven-game match – relentless.
- By Game 4, Thunder could close the gap with a 12-1 run. It won by a slight 111-104.
- In Game 7, you got Shai Gilgeous-Alexander comebacks, and they simply dominated with 29 points and 12 assists. They , in fact, delivered OKC’s first NBA championship. They earned the Finals MVP.
The Pacers, didn’t have Haliburton who was injured this time in this game. Everything was the lean on on Mathurin’s scoring and Siakam’s double-doubles.
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- Series Impact: Haliburton’s late-Finals injury actually shifted the momentum of the match, taking the Pacers vs Thunder timeline elsewhere.
| Game | Winner | Top Performer | Notable Stat |
| 1 | Pacers | Haliburton (28 pts) | Lead series 1-0 |
| 2 | Thunder | SGA (32 pts, 10 ast) | Series tied 1-1 |
| 3 | Pacers | Siakam (25 pts, 14 reb) | Pacers 2-1 |
| 4 | Thunder | Williams (20 pts), SGA | Series tied 2-2, 12-1 closing run |
| 5 | Pacers | Mathurin (30 pts) | Pacers 3-2 |
| 6 | Thunder | Holmgren (22 pts, 12 reb) | Series tied 3-3 |
| 7 | Thunder | SGA (29 pts, 12 ast) | Thunder win championship |
Double-Overtime Showdowns & Post-Finals Rematches between Pacers and Thunder
There was another classic in October 2025. An instant one too.
Shai Gilgeous – Alexander made a franchise record. Unimaginable 55 points. Double overtime against Indiana.
Mathurin led the Pacers with 36.
OKC showed a much resilient guard play and depth to get to the victory of 141-135.
This game was after the Finals. The fireworks got offensive and the Easter vs Western bravado ignited a fresh new rivalry with fans
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Player Spotlights & Stats: Indiana Pacers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Timeline
Some stats to look up to.
| Player | Team | Finals/OT Performance | Impact |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Thunder | 29 pts, 12 ast (G7), 55 pts OT | Finals MVP, clutch scorer |
| Bennedict Mathurin | Pacers | 30 pts (G5 Finals), 36 pts OT | Rising star, future leader |
| Pascal Siakam | Pacers | 25 pts, 14 reb (G3 Finals) | Double-double machine |
| Chet Holmgren | Thunder | 22 pts, 12 reb (G6 Finals) | Rim protector, game changer |
| Jalen Williams | Thunder | Key bench runs, defensive stops | X-factor, energy boost |
| Tyrese Haliburton | Pacers | Led early series, injured late | Heart of Pacers offense |
Indiana Pacers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Timeline of Iconic Moments
- Thunder win first OKC-based NBA championship, Pacers historic Finals debut.
- Haliburton’s injury changes series narrative.
- SGA records double-OT 55 points, a Thunder milestone tied only by Westbrook and Durant.
- Mathurin’s emergence as a postseason scoring threat.
- Season opener: Thunder outlast Pacers 141-135 in double-OT thriller.
Fan Trends for Pacers and Oklahoma Rivalry
Fans of both teams create a lot of social buzz spikes during OT classics and playoffs. They also engage with trending hashtags and forums for real-time reactions.
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Legacy and Outlook in the Indiana Pacers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Timeline
This 2025 series launched the new era. OKC got its first title. Indiana made it to the Finals. Both teams have a good veteran support for the youth. They are expected to content for more championships.
FAQs
Q. Who won the 2025 NBA Finals between the Pacers and Thunder?
A. The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers in seven games (4-3) to claim their first NBA championship as the OKC franchise.
Q. What was the turning point in the 2025 Pacers vs Thunder Finals series?
A. Game 7, where Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance (29 points, 12 assists) and Indiana missing Tyrese Haliburton due to injury tipped the balance in OKC’s favor.
Q. When was the last time the Pacers reached the NBA Finals before 2025?
A. 2025 marked the first NBA Finals appearance for the Indiana Pacers in their franchise history (ABA titles not included).
Q. How does the Pacers’ offense match up against the Thunder’s defense?
A. The Pacers are known for a fast-paced, turnover-averse offense, but the Thunder led the league in forced turnovers and elite defensive pressure