Thunder Embrace Pressure As Finals Favorites, While Pacers Lean Into Underdog Role

June 5, 2025

The Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t blink under the bright lights of Media Day on Wednesday, fielding a barrage of questions with the same composure that’s propelled them to the NBA Finals.

Game 1 tips off Thursday, with OKC entering as the heavy favorite over the Indiana Pacers, a franchise making its first Finals appearance since 2000.

The Thunder, who swept both regular-season meetings with Indiana, are widely expected to bring home their first championship since relocating from Seattle. According to ESPN, Oklahoma City is the second-largest betting favorite in a Finals series over the past 20 years, trailing only the 2018 Golden State Warriors.

But Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault isn’t buying into the hype.

“We’re not inventing anything this week,” Daigneault told reporters. “Their attack is simple in theory, difficult in execution. That’s what makes them tough.”

Pacers Playing Loose, Leaning on Carlisle’s Experience

The Pacers aren’t just embracing the underdog role, they’re thriving in it. Coach Rick Carlisle has danced this dance before, famously guiding the 2011 Mavericks to a stunning upset over the star-studded Miami Heat. Now he returns to the Finals 13 years later with a different cast, but the same calm demeanor.

Daigneault offered nothing but praise for his coaching counterpart.

“I can’t say enough about him,” Daigneault said. “His teams consistently outperform their parts. They stay in character through the ups and downs, and his players — top to bottom — play with confidence. That’s a reflection of him.”

Daigneault also credited Carlisle for being ahead of league trends, despite being one of the NBA’s longest-tenured coaches.

Two of the NBA’s Best in 2025

Since Jan. 1, the Thunder and Pacers own the league’s two best records, showing how hot both teams have been in the second half of the season. While Oklahoma City returns to the Finals for the first time since 2012, Indiana is back for the first time in 25 years, and doing so with a turbo-charged offense.

Which brings us to a major tactical storyline: turnovers.

OKC has made its defensive mark this postseason by forcing more than 18 turnovers per game. Indiana? They’ve committed fewer than 13. Something’s got to give.

“It’s going to be a chess match,” Daigneault admitted. “They throw a 99-mile-an-hour fastball at you. You can prepare all you want, but stepping into the batter’s box is another thing.”

Siakam the X-Factor

One of Indiana’s biggest weapons is Pascal Siakam, who gives the Pacers a go-to halfcourt threat and matchup versatility on both ends.

“He can do it all — post, isolate, playmaker,” Daigneault said. “He’s a problem. Defensively, he’s one of their best help defenders, constantly eating space, rangy, disruptive. He’s going to be a huge part of this series.”

With the pressure squarely on OKC’s young core and the savvy, no-fear Pacers looking to crash the party, expect an electric, and possibly unpredictable, series.

Game 1 is Thursday night at Paycom Center (8:30 p.m. EST, ABC), where the Thunder haven’t lost all postseason. Indiana, meanwhile, has made a habit of ignoring the odds.

And for all the talk about favorites and underdogs, Daigneault made it clear: “None of that matters once the ball goes up.”