The Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy is up for grabs. Will the Indiana Pacers win the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history? Or will the Oklahoma City Thunder reign victorious for the first time since 1979, when the team was still the Seattle SuperSonics?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the 2025 NBA MVP, led the Thunder to the team’s first NBA Finals appearance since 2012 after averaging 31.4 points, 8.2 assists and 5.2 rebounds through five games in the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Meanwhile, the Pacers are back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000, thanks in part to All-NBA Third Team guard Tyrese Haliburton, who averaged 21.0 points, 10.5 assists and 6.0 rebounds in six games vs. the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Thunder swept the Pacers in the regular season, winning both matchups. Gilgeous-Alexander had 45 points in the Thunder’s 120-114 win over the Pacers in Indiana on Dec. 26 and dropped 33 at home in Oklahoma City’s 132-111 win over Indiana on March 29.
It all adds up to a must-see Game 1. USA TODAY Sports will provide the latest updates, highlights, wild plays, analysis and more throughout the game. Follow along.
