Indiana Pacers take Game 1 of 2025 NBA Finals, achieving historic milestone not seen since 2011

The Indiana Pacers defied expectations in the NBA Finals by emerging victorious against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a thrilling 111-110 win. Rick Carlisle’s squad did not rely on just one elite scorer; instead, they showcased a balanced offensive performance. Five Pacers players scored over 14 points each, a pivotal factor in their triumph. Moreover, the Pacers achieved a remarkable feat, matching a statistic not seen in the NBA Finals since 2011.

The Indiana Pacers showcased their resilience with a thrilling comeback against the Oklahoma City Thunder. With their victory, they matched a feat last achieved by Rick Carlisle’s Dallas Mavericks in 2011, as reported by Tim MacMahon on ESPN. The Pacers erased a 15-point deficit, much like the Mavericks in their iconic Game 1 NBA Finals win.

Although Charles Barkley backed the Thunder’s bench players, the Pacers’ reserves truly dominated, consistently shifting the game’s momentum. This win highlights why opponents struggle against them and reaffirms their contender status. Furthermore, Obi Toppin emerged as a standout by coming off the bench and scoring 17 points, along with 5 rebounds and 2 assists, making him the team’s second-highest scorer in the game within just 25 minutes.

Their victory in Game 1 does not guarantee dominance in the NBA Finals, as the Thunder can bounce back from tough scenarios. Oklahoma City showcased a strong performance with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge, scoring 38 points.

Obi Toppin #1 of the Indiana Pacers is defended by Alex Caruso #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter in Game One of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center on June 05, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

However, problems arose when only one bench player, Alex Caruso, reached double figures in scoring. If the Thunder want to overcome these challenges, their rotation players must boost their performances, as they did against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

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After the loss, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault delivered some thought-provoking remarks. “The biggest experience we’ve had is understanding that every game is a new game…The most important game in the series is always the next one, regardless of the outcome. We would have liked to win tonight, but tonight was a starting point, not an end point.”

The Thunder’s roster just concluded their first NBA Finals appearance. This experience served as a valuable lesson in how to handle the heightened intensity of these pivotal games. With a young and talented roster, this team cannot be dismissed.

Moreover, their consistent performance all season long underscores their potential to overcome the result. Keeping this in mind, the Thunder will meet the Indiana Pacers again on June 8 at the Paycom Center, eager to demonstrate their best version.