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THE 2025 NBA Finals are already being called one of the most historic in decades.
The series between the Thunder and the Pacers is not just about who claims the Larry O’Brien Trophy. It is about two franchises that chose patience over panic, draft picks over big trades and smart player development over superstar stacking. IMAGE FROM 1X BET
For the first time since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976, a completely new champion will be crowned.
Neither of the two finalists — the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Indiana Pacers — has won a title in the modern NBA era.
This moment marks a true shift in the league's landscape, signaling the rise of a new generation and a fresh competitive balance.
This article was prepared by the experts at 1xBet.
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The series between the Thunder and the Pacers is not just about who claims the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
It is about two franchises that chose patience over panic, draft picks over big trades and smart player development over superstar stacking.
They have built balanced rosters, trusted the process, and now find themselves battling for basketball's ultimate prize.
Although their paths were different, both teams arrived at this stage by embracing youth, cohesion and an unrelenting hunger to make history.
Oklahoma City finished the regular season with a league-best 68-14 record.
Their +12.8 net rating was the second-best in NBA history, trailing only the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls.
At just over 24 years old on average, the Thunder are the youngest team to reach the Finals since 1977.
Their playoff run included a sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies, a grueling seven-game victory over the Denver Nuggets and a dominant 4-1 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league MVP, has been a force throughout, supported by a fearless and versatile cast including rookie sensation Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams and defensive anchor Luguentz Dort.
The Indiana Pacers, meanwhile, have been the biggest surprise of the postseason.
This is their first trip to the Finals since 2000, and it caps off their first 50-win season in more than a decade.
The team has built its identity around speed, ball movement and offensive unpredictability.
Tyrese Haliburton, now recognized as one of the league's elite playmakers, has orchestrated Indiana's run with composure and vision beyond his years.
Alongside a deep and flexible supporting cast, he led the Pacers past the Bucks and Cavaliers in convincing 4-1 series wins, before outlasting the New York Knicks in six tightly contested games.
The Finals opened with immediate drama.
In Game 1, Indiana stole a 111-110 victory on the road after erasing a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit, sealed by Haliburton's clutch game-winning shot.
But Oklahoma City responded in Game 2, unleashing their full arsenal in a dominant 123-107 win.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points to even the series at 1-1.
With Game 3 and Game 4 set to take place in Indianapolis, the Pacers now look to capitalize on home court and regain the upper hand.
This year's Finals are also notable for what they represent off the court.
It is the first championship series since 2002 where neither team is paying the luxury tax, underlining how sustainable, cost-effective roster construction can still lead to the top.
Both organizations have prioritized internal development over aggressive free agency — a blueprint that could redefine how contenders are built in the years to come.
Moreover, the 2025 Finals mark the seventh consecutive year with a different NBA champion — a level of parity not seen since the late 1970s.
This era of competitive balance speaks to the increasing importance of strong front-office leadership, player development systems, and adaptive coaching.
At the center of it all is the battle between Gilgeous-Alexander and Haliburton — two young stars who have quickly become the faces of their franchises and perhaps the future of the league.
Both are smart, unselfish and consistently deliver in high-pressure moments.
Their head-to-head duel is already producing unforgettable highlights, with potentially five more games left to define this rivalry.
The 2025 NBA Finals are more than a championship series; they are a milestone in the evolution of the league.
They celebrate strategic patience, youth-driven success and the return of basketball purity: team-first play, relentless effort and the belief that greatness can be earned without shortcuts.
No matter who wins, this Finals will be remembered as the one that changed everything.
