The matchup between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder became one of the most statistically significant NBA Finals series of the modern era during the 2025 NBA Finals. Oklahoma City ultimately defeated Indiana 4–3 to capture the NBA championship, led by Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Key Statistics
2025 NBA Finals Series Results
| Game | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Indiana Pacers | 111–110 |
| Game 2 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 123–107 |
| Game 3 | Indiana Pacers | 116–107 |
| Game 4 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 111–104 |
| Game 5 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 120–109 |
| Game 6 | Indiana Pacers | 108–91 |
| Game 7 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 103–91 |
Source: Basketball Reference Finals Series Data.
Team Statistical Averages – 2025 NBA Finals
| Team | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TOPG | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunder | 109.3 | 41.9 | 17.6 | 10.7 | 5.9 | 12.6 | 43.8 | 34.5 | 82.2 |
| Pacers | 106.6 | 43.0 | 22.7 | 9.3 | 5.7 | 17.1 | 45.0 | 36.8 | 75.8 |
Finals MVP Statistics
| Player | Team | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Thunder | 30.3 | 4.6 | 5.6 | 1.9 | 1.6 |
Career Overview
The Pacers and Thunder represent two franchises built through different developmental models.
Indiana entered the 2025 Finals after defeating Milwaukee, Cleveland, and New York in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Pacers were led by Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner, and Bennedict Mathurin.
Oklahoma City finished the regular season at 68–14 and entered the Finals after eliminating Memphis, Denver, and Minnesota. The Thunder were powered by league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, alongside Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Lu Dort.
The Finals represented the first championship series meeting between the franchises and concluded with Oklahoma City’s first NBA championship since the franchise’s Seattle SuperSonics era championship in 1979.
Career Statistics
Franchise Regular-Season Comparison
| Category | Indiana Pacers | Oklahoma City Thunder |
|---|---|---|
| League | NBA | NBA |
| Conference | Eastern | Western |
| NBA Championships* | 0 | 2 (including Seattle history) |
| Finals Appearances | Multiple | Multiple |
| Active Through | 2025-26 | 2025-26 |
*Thunder championships include Seattle SuperSonics franchise history.
Thunder Historical Franchise Record
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Seasons | 59 |
| Wins | 2,602 |
| Losses | 2,168 |
| Winning Percentage | .545 |
| Playoff Appearances | 35 |
| Championships | 2 |
Data for complete all-time Pacers franchise totals could not be independently verified from the available sources used for this article.
Season-by-Season Stats
Recent Indiana Pacers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Results
| Season | Pacers Record vs Thunder |
|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 1–1 |
| 2024-25 | 3–6 |
| 2023-24 | 2–0 |
| 2022-23 | 1–1 |
| 2021-22 | 1–1 |
2024-25 Season Records
| Team | Regular Season Record |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 68–14 |
| Indiana Pacers | 50–32 |
Playoff Path to the Finals
| Indiana Pacers | Result |
|---|---|
| vs Bucks | 4–1 |
| vs Cavaliers | 4–1 |
| vs Knicks | 4–2 |
| vs Thunder | 3–4 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | Result |
|---|---|
| vs Grizzlies | 4–0 |
| vs Nuggets | 4–3 |
| vs Timberwolves | 4–1 |
| vs Pacers | 4–3 |
Records
Notable Series Records
| Record | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Thunder Finals Record | 4 wins, 3 losses |
| Largest Thunder Finals Win | 123–107 (Game 2) |
| Largest Pacers Finals Win | 108–91 (Game 6) |
| Game 7 Result | Thunder 103–91 Pacers |
| Finals MVP | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander |
Historical Milestones
- Oklahoma City captured the 2025 NBA Championship.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander became NBA MVP, scoring champion, and Finals MVP during the same season.
- Indiana’s Game 1 comeback represented one of the most dramatic Finals victories in recent NBA history.
- Tyrese Haliburton recorded multiple clutch playoff game-winning shots during Indiana’s postseason run.
Awards and Honors
Oklahoma City Thunder
| Award | Recipient |
|---|---|
| NBA Champion | Thunder |
| Finals MVP | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander |
Individual Honors
| Player | Honor |
|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | NBA MVP |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Finals MVP |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | NBA Scoring Champion |
Additional awards for players in this matchup could not be comprehensively verified from the sources reviewed.
Performance Trends
Thunder Trends
| Metric | Trend |
|---|---|
| Defense | Elite throughout playoffs |
| Turnovers Forced | Highest among playoff teams |
| Home Performance | Dominant |
| Finals Outcome | Won final 2 of last 3 games |
Key Observations
- Oklahoma City’s defense consistently disrupted Indiana’s offense.
- The Thunder forced significantly more turnovers than previous Pacers opponents.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander elevated his scoring in crucial games.
- Jalen Williams’ 40-point Game 5 became a turning point in the series.
Pacers Trends
| Metric | Trend |
|---|---|
| Assists | Higher than Thunder |
| Rebounds | Slight edge |
| Three-Point Shooting | Better efficiency |
| Turnovers | Significantly higher |
Historical Context
The 2025 Finals featured a contrast between Oklahoma City’s elite defense and Indiana’s ball movement and pace.
Historically, Finals champions often dominate turnover differential and defensive efficiency. Oklahoma City followed that pattern by forcing mistakes and converting them into transition opportunities.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Finals average of 30.3 points places him among the most productive Finals MVPs of the modern era. His combination of scoring, playmaking, steals, and shot-blocking was uncommon for a guard.
The Game 7 audience of 16.4 million viewers made it the most-watched NBA Finals game in six years, highlighting the significance of the series despite featuring two small-market franchises.
Head-to-Head Statistics
All-Time Pacers vs Thunder Record
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Total Meetings | 110 |
| Pacers Wins | 50 |
| Thunder Wins | 60 |
| Pacers Home Record | 32–23 |
| Pacers Road Record | 18–37 |
Last Ten Significant Meetings
| Date | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 23, 2026 | Pacers | 117–114 |
| Oct 23, 2025 | Thunder | 141–135 (2OT) |
| Jun 22, 2025 | Thunder | 103–91 |
| Jun 19, 2025 | Pacers | 108–91 |
| Jun 16, 2025 | Thunder | 120–109 |
| Jun 13, 2025 | Thunder | 111–104 |
| Jun 11, 2025 | Pacers | 116–107 |
| Jun 8, 2025 | Thunder | 123–107 |
| Jun 5, 2025 | Pacers | 111–110 |
| Mar 29, 2025 | Thunder | 132–111 |
Head-to-Head Team Comparison (2025 Finals)
| Statistic | Thunder | Pacers |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 109.3 | 106.6 |
| Rebounds | 41.9 | 43.0 |
| Assists | 17.6 | 22.7 |
| Steals | 10.7 | 9.3 |
| Blocks | 5.9 | 5.7 |
| Turnovers | 12.6 | 17.1 |
| FG% | 43.8 | 45.0 |
| 3PT% | 34.5 | 36.8 |
Recent For
Oklahoma City Thunder
Recent results entering and including the Finals:
| Competition | Result |
|---|---|
| Western Finals vs Timberwolves | Won 4–1 |
| NBA Finals vs Pacers | Won 4–3 |
| Championship | Won |
Indiana Pacers
| Competition | Result |
|---|---|
| East Finals vs Knicks | Won 4–2 |
| NBA Finals vs Thunder | Lost 3–4 |
Recent Player Performances
| Game | Leading Scorer |
|---|---|
| Game 1 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 38 |
| Game 2 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 34 |
| Game 3 | Bennedict Mathurin – 27 |
| Game 4 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 35 |
| Game 5 | Jalen Williams – 40 |
| Game 6 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 21 |
| Game 7 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 29 |
Statistical Highlights
Thunder
- 109.3 points per game in the Finals.
- 10.7 steals per game.
- Won championship in seven games.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 30.3 points.
- Jalen Williams scored 40 points in Game 5.
Pacers
- 22.7 assists per game during the Finals.
- 43.0 rebounds per game.
- Shot 36.8% from three-point range.
- Won Games 1, 3, and 6.
- Produced one of the biggest fourth-quarter comeback wins in Finals history during Game 1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Indiana Pacers vs Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Finals?
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers 4–3 in the 2025 NBA Finals and won the NBA championship.
Who was the Finals MVP?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won Finals MVP after averaging 30.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game.
What was the Game 7 score?
The Thunder defeated the Pacers 103–91 in Game 7.
What is the all-time head-to-head record?
The Thunder lead the all-time series 60–50.
Which player scored the most points in a Finals game?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 38 points in Game 1, while Jalen Williams produced a series-high 40 points in Game 5.
Which team had better shooting percentages in the Finals?
Indiana posted better field-goal percentage (45.0%) and three-point percentage (36.8%), while Oklahoma City excelled defensively and committed fewer turnovers.
Sources and References
Statistics and records in this article were verified using the following trusted basketball databases and league resources:
- National Basketball Association (NBA) Official Site
- Basketball Reference
- Land of Basketball
- Champs or Chumps NBA Database
- Reuters Sports
All statistics included above were limited to data that could be verified through the referenced sources. Where complete historical player-level datasets were unavailable from verified sources, those figures were intentionally omitted rather than estimated.
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