NBA Finals Stunner: Pacers Steal Game 1 as Thunder’s Historic Defense Isn’t Enough—Here’s How OKC Can Strike Back
The Indiana Pacers stunned Oklahoma City in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Can the Thunder bounce back? Five strategies OKC must use to regain control.
- 25 turnovers: Pacers gave up the most in any Finals game since 2000
- 38 points: Thunder’s star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander outscored Pacers’ Haliburton by 24
- 63%: Pacers’ corner 3-point shooting in Game 1—season high
- Thunder trailed just 0.3 seconds—yet lost at home
The NBA Finals tipped off with a shockwave as the Oklahoma City Thunder let a sure victory slip right through their fingers. Despite forcing a record-smashing 25 turnovers—unseen this century—OKC couldn’t finish. The Indiana Pacers, relentless and resilient, clawed their way back from a dismal start, swiping Game 1 in Oklahoma City 111-110.
Thunder Nation is reeling. The Pacers’ postseason run has already featured miracle comebacks, but this stunner ranks among the playoffs’ most memorable heists. With Game 2 looming, everything’s on the line for Oklahoma City—can they seize back momentum?
Let’s break down the five most critical adjustments OKC needs to make to even the series on Sunday.
Q: How Can the Thunder Mentally Recover for Game 2?
The first battle is psychological. After losing in such a crushing way, the Thunder risk a second home collapse, much like the New York Knicks did earlier in the playoffs. The path forward? Moving on fast—and the Thunder have done it before.
When they suffered a gut-punch loss against Denver in the second round, they stormed back and put up a massive 149 points in Game 2. History suggests this squad, led by the ever-cool Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, thrives under pressure.
How Did Indiana Outsmart Oklahoma City’s Stars?
Shai did his job, torching the Pacers for 38 points. But OKC’s supporting cast floundered. Jalen Williams shot a painful 6-for-19 and rookie Chet Holmgren—benched late—managed only six points. The Pacers’ strategy? Let Shai go off, but suffocate everyone else. Their aggressive defense left the Thunder with just 13 assists, their lowest mark of the postseason.
Meanwhile, Indiana’s role players rose to the occasion. Big man Myles Turner dominated at the rim, while Obi Toppin rained down timely threes. The supporting cast won the night.
How Can OKC Jumpstart Its Offense?
Indiana’s disruptive defense forced the Thunder into an iso-heavy slog. OKC recorded a season-low 208 team passes and their second-fewest in any playoff game tracked. The Thunder cannot win by standing still.
A return to fast, purposeful ball movement is vital. More touches, more assists, and more easy buckets are the answer. The Thunder need to keep SGA’s teammates involved and punish Pacers’ rotations.
Why Was OKC’s Finishing at the Rim So Poor?
Despite high-flying steals and transition chances, the Thunder missed easy looks—shooting a miserable 20-for-36 at the rim and an icy 3-for-18 on floaters. Myles Turner’s presence loomed large; OKC made just one shot with him nearby after the opening minute.
Analytics from ESPN and Cleaning the Glass show OKC should have scored at least eight more paint points based on their shot quality. Better conversion inside will be crucial if they want to avoid another close defeat.
How Can the Thunder Stop the Pacers’ Corner 3-Point Barrage?
It’s no secret: OKC’s defensive style surrenders corner threes to prevent layups. But Game 1 was a disaster—the Pacers made 10 of 16 from the corners, including a sizzling 7-for-9 in the second half. Even for Indiana, that’s abnormal. Defensive lapses and miscommunication left shooters open.
To rebound, OKC’s rotations must be tighter. Giving up a few contested threes is acceptable, but mental errors handing freebies to Indiana shooters will sink their chances.
- Game 2: Sunday, 8 p.m. ET on ABC
- Game 3: Wednesday, June 11
- Game 4: Friday, June 13
- Game 5-7: If necessary
Find full coverage and analysis on NBA.com and ESPN.
Checklist: How the Thunder Can Bounce Back in Game 2
- Reset mentally—focus on the next play, not the past
- Fire up secondary scorers like Williams and Holmgren
- Move the ball—increase passes and find open shots
- Finish strong at the rim—attack with confidence
- Eliminate defensive lapses on Pacers’ corner threes
Don’t miss Sunday’s rematch—Game 2 could define the 2025 NBA Finals! Stay locked to NBA.com for the latest headlines and exclusive insights.
