Pacers vs OKC 2025 NBA Finals Game 7 Preview: Who Will Clinch First Title of 21st Century For Their Franchise?

Game 7 is here, the top seed, OKC and the Pacers taking on each other in the 2025 NBA Finals with a championship decider game to be played at the Paycom Center. Last time these sides met each other at the arena, it was the Oklahoma City Thunder who clinched the 11-point victory, their first back-to-back win in the 2025 NBA Finals series, moving closer to the title.  But remember, only the Pacers and Nuggets managed to win a postseason game in Oklahoma, making the Pacers vs OKC game 7 an interesting fixture.

Oklahoma will be beaming with confidence. They had their best season with a record point differential, top-rated defense, a 40-1 record vs. the East sides and regular season MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on their roster. But the only loss that diminishes the clean slate in the regular season was against the Indiana Pacers, which could be a glimmer of hope for Tyrese Haliburton and co.

The series was defined by strong defensive performances, shutting down the top scorers of either team and even by the depth of both sides. Both coaches tapped into the reserves and proved effective. Alex Caruso scored two 20-point games, which was below the mark in the regular season. In Game 3, Bennedict Mathurin had 27 points in just 22 minutes. Obi Toppin has a 20-point game and 17 points on a couple of occasions. T.J. McConnell disrupted the series with his steals and mid-range shooting. And the Thunder, when, out of nowhere, he began stealing inbounds passes and dropping mid-range jumpers. NO ONE is a weak link on either side, making the OKC vs Indiana game 7 an entertaining game.

Traditionally, the NBA Finals’ Game 7 history is rich, Pacers vs OKC might just have a slight edge with the number of players able to rise to the occasion.

Also Read: NBA Finals: Regular Season Toppers Unable to Win Larry O’Brien Trophy in Championship Series

2025 NBA Finals Game 7: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs Tyrese Haliburton

Yes, Shai is the most consistent performer this season. His regular-season form continued in the postseason, allowing the OKC side to reach the finals after 2012. The big three of the OKC team are working well, with Chet Holmgren surprising many with his growth in just the second season. But SGA is the leader of the side, with his performance defining the team’s results on a regular basis.

On the Indy side, it’s Tyrese Haliburton. Playing in his fifth season in the NBA, Haliburton became the most clutch player in the postseason. With multiple game-tying or winners in closing moments, the 25-year-old has shown that ‘he excels in the pressure situation’. With a championship experience, Pascal Siakam by his side, and role players also delivering their best Indiana Pacers will be hoping to win their first NBA championship.

Other important factors will be game tactics and rotations by coaches. Rick Carlisle and Mark Daigneault are blessed with deep squads and have used them perfectly so far. Carlisle has championship experience with one of the historic NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat. He delivered the first NBA title for the Dallas franchise and will look for a similar result with the Indiana side. Mark Daigneault, at 40, will be the 11th youngest coach to win a title, but it will be a special one for the OKC – 1st title since moving to Oklahoma.

Also Read: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, James Harden and Other Superstars Facing Most Eliminations By Eventual NBA Champions.

Pacers vs OKC 2025 NBA Finals Series So Far

The six games so far have shown great resilience from both sides, four of which were comeback wins in the fourth quarter. The following are the results of the OKC vs Pacers series so far,

From these results, it’s difficult to point to a singular player making an impact on the series, yet SGA, Jalen Williams, Tyrese Haliburton, Chet Holmgren and Pascal Siakam have been very consistent with their performances and will be delivering their best games on June 22.  

Both squads rank among the top-five paces; expect a fast, up-tempo game. Turnovers, transitions, blocks and steals will be ‘gamechangers’ in the Pacers vs OKC game. The OKC vs Indiana game 7 will be a thrilling one, and the pressure will be high (even though players deny the same).

Kushal

Passionate about the game and driven by storytelling, Kushal is a seasoned sports news and analysis writer with a knack for breaking down the big plays and spotlighting rising stars.

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