NBA legend Charles Barkley reveals key factor that could lead Thunder to win 2025 NBA Finals

The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers will face off in the highly anticipated 2025 NBA Finals. The Thunder stand as clear favorites, having maintained consistent performance since the season’s start. On the other hand, the Pacers have emerged as the season’s biggest surprise, capturing the basketball world’s attention. Both teams come into the Finals with strong momentum. However, NBA legend Charles Barkley believes one crucial factor could decide the outcome of this series.

“The Pacers have got a good team. But OKC, they’re one of the best teams I’ve seen in a long time. They might be the deepest NBA team I’ve ever seen… That’s going to really negate the Pacers‘ bench, which helped them beat the Knicks…The Thunder, they’re bringing better players off the bench than the Pacers… (Indiana) have got a terrific bench, but Oklahoma City got better bench players,” Charles Barkley said, via Dan Patrick Show.

In this postseason, franchises boasting greater depth and superior bench quality have emerged as definitive game-changers. While the Thunder enjoy a substantial edge with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP who consistently impacts games, the true strength of Mark Daigneault’s squad lies in its versatile supporting cast. Players like Alex Caruso, Isaiah Joe, and Cason Wallace possess the ability to alter the game’s trajectory decisively.

Moreover, Jalen Williams stands poised to be another pivotal factor in the NBA Finals. Throughout the season, Williams has repeatedly demonstrated his capacity to lead the offense, even stepping up when the MVP needed to play more conservatively. His ability to shoulder the offensive load at crucial junctures solidifies his role as an indispensable asset for the Thunder.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket around Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers during the third quarter Paycom Center on March 29, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Despite entering the series as underdogs, the Indiana Pacers have proven themselves as formidable contenders. They boast impressive form and possess both the quality and bench depth to rival the Thunder. In the Conference Finals, Bennedict Mathurin and Obi Toppin delivered pivotal performances off the bench, significantly impacting the game’s outcome. For that reason, Oklahoma City cannot afford to underestimate this resilient Pacers team.

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In a press conference ahead of the Finals, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault praised the Indiana Pacers’ development: “We have a lot of respect for them from afar…The program they’ve built, the way that they play, the identity they’ve built on the court, the way their guys play together. The whole is better than the sum of the parts with their team, which I think is the sign of a good team.”

Daigneault’s comments acknowledge the formidable challenge they face against a strong Pacers squad. Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, in particular, stand out with their stellar postseason performances. Fans eagerly anticipate a thrilling series, expecting a competitive and entertaining showdown between these two talented teams.