Thunder vs Pacers: Finals Breakdown and Prediction

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers will face off in the NBA Finals beginning June 5.

The Thunder, making their first Finals appearance since 2012, finished the regular season with a franchise-best 68–14 record. They also set an NBA record with a +12.9 average point differential. Oklahoma City was led by league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who averaged 32.7 points per game.

The Indiana Pacers are returning to the Finals for the first time since 2000 after finishing the regular season with a 50–32 record—their first 50-win season since 2014. Indiana is led by Pascal Siakam, who averaged 20.2 points per game, and All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who contributed 18.6 points and 9.2 assists per game during the regular season.

Thunder Swept Regular Season Series

The Thunder traveled to Indiana on December 26 and defeated the Pacers 120–114, closing the game on a decisive 17–7 run. Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 45 points, while Haliburton was limited to 4 points and 8 assists.

In the rematch on March 29, Oklahoma City dominated again with a 132–111 victory. The Thunder exploded for 73 points across the second and third quarters and hit 17 threes on 47% shooting from beyond the arc. Gilgeous-Alexander led with 33 points.

Pacers’ Efficient Scoring Attack

The Pacers enter the Finals with six players averaging double figures in the playoffs. Pascal Siakam, the Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals MVP, leads the way with 21.1 points per game. He’s followed by Haliburton (18.8 PPG), Myles Turner (15.2), Aaron Nesmith (14.1), Andrew Nembhard (12.8), and Bennedict Mathurin (10.4). Indiana also leads the league in fast-break points, averaging 17.5 per game.

Thunder’s Championship-Level Defense

Defense wins championships, and the Thunder boasts one of the league’s most suffocating units. They led the NBA in steals (10.3), forced turnovers (11.0), and ranked second in blocks (5.7) during the regular season.

Lou Dort was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, and Jalen Williams earned Second Team honors. The Thunder thrive on ball pressure, spatial awareness, and aggressive disruption, leading the league with 1,722 deflections —the most in a single season since tracking began in 2016.

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards described the Thunder defense as “15 puppets on one string.”

Haliburton’s Playmaking & Two-Way Wings Critical for Pacers

For the Pacers to succeed, they must solve the Thunder’s defensive puzzle. The key question: Can Haliburton find and exploit openings against OKC’s relentless pressure?

X-factors Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard will be crucial. Both contribute on both ends of the floor. Offensively, they'll need to provide a scoring spark. Defensively, they’ll likely be tasked with guarding Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. In the March matchup, Nembhard guarded Gilgeous-Alexander, while Nesmith took on Williams. Expect them to switch assignments throughout the series.

Thunder Bench Depth & Rebounding Edge

Like the Pacers, the Thunder are a deep team. Their second unit, featuring Alex Caruso, Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, and Cason Wallace, brings energy and production.

Caruso averages 8.8 points per game, while Joe added 11 points in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. Wallace also chipped in 11 points during Game 4 of the Western Semifinals on May 11.

Rebounding will be critical. Chet Holmgren is averaging 8.6 rebounds per game in the playoffs, and Isaiah Hartenstein contributes 7.9. Together, they could dominate the glass against Siakam and Turner.

Prediction: Thunder in 6

While the Pacers may return to Indiana with the series tied 1–1, the Thunder’s elite defense should eventually wear them down. The trio of Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Holmgren will win key matchups, and OKC’s depth will prove too much for Indiana to overcome.

Late Comeback Fails as Defenders Fall to Roughnecks

Houston, Texas – Mike DiLiello’s final pass attempt, a 3-point conversion to Chris Rowland, fell short as the D.C. Defenders’ comeback attempt came up shy in a 24–21 loss to the Houston Roughnecks.

D.C. jumped out to an early 9–2 lead, but Houston responded with 22 unanswered points across the second and third quarters. Despite a 12-point surge in the fourth quarter and an offensive outburst that produced 458 total yards (compared to Houston’s 371), the Defenders couldn’t complete the rally in the final seconds.

Former Defenders QB Torches His Former Squad

Houston Roughnecks quarterback Jalan McClendon was traded by the D.C. Defenders on November 6, 2024, and delivered a strong performance against his former team. McClendon finished 21-of-30 for 232 yards and two touchdowns, both caught by wide receiver Keke Chism. Their first touchdown connection came with just 16 seconds remaining in the first half, followed by a 13-yard score in the third quarter.

Cornell Powell Continues to Shine

After scoring two touchdowns last week, Defenders wide receiver Cornell Powell replicated the feat in Houston. Powell opened the scoring with a 44-yard touchdown reception from Jordan Ta’amu on the Defenders’ first drive. He later hauled a 5-yard touchdown pass from DiLiello with just 3 seconds left in regulation, giving D.C. one final chance at a game-tying 3-point play. Powell has four touchdowns in the last two games and has emerged as one of the league’s most dynamic receivers.

Roughnecks’ Ground Game Carves Up Defenders

While D.C. won the yardage battle through the air, Houston took control on the ground. The Roughnecks outgained the Defenders 107 to 87 in rushing yards. Lorenzo Lingard led the way for Houston with 80 yards on 8 carries, including a 20-yard touchdown run that helped build their third-quarter lead.

What’s Next

The Defenders (6–3) close out the regular season on Friday, May 30th, with a crucial matchup against the St. Louis Battlehawks (7–2). Kickoff is set for 8 PM EST.

Defenders Clinch Playoff Berth with Thrilling 33–30 Win Over Renegades

Washington, D.C-- With seconds remaining, Arlington was driving to tie or win the game. However, DeAndre Baker intercepted Luis Perez’s pass to seal the Defenders' 33–30 victory over the Arlington Renegades, completing a season sweep. The Defenders clinched a berth in the XFL Division Championship on June 8 with the win.

Renegades Took an Early Lead — Briefly

Placekicker Lucas Havrisik opened the scoring with a 30-yard field goal with 9:30 left in the first quarter, giving the Renegades a short-lived 3–0 lead. On the very next possession, the Defenders answered quickly. Deon Jackson broke free for a 57-yard touchdown run, followed by a successful 3-point conversion also by Jackson, to put D.C. ahead 9–3. The Defenders never trailed again and led by as many as 12 points throughout the game.

Top Two in Passing Yards Face Off

Heading into the Week 8 matchup, quarterbacks Jordan Ta’amu and Luis Perez ranked No. 1 and 2 in the UFL in passing yards. Ta’amu entered with 1,750 yards, while Perez had 1,455. On Sunday, Perez went 32-of-46 for 350 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Ta’amu completed 15-of-26 passes for 240 yards and 2 touchdowns, hauled in by wide receiver Cornell Powell.

In the post-game press conference, I asked Ta’amu about his chemistry with Powell and their growing connection on the field.

Trick Play Sparks the Crowd

The Defenders dialed up some trickery on 3rd-and-goal from the Renegades’ 9-yard line. Wide receiver Chris Rowland threw a touchdown pass to quarterback Jordan Ta’amu with 5:03 left in the second quarter that caught the defense off guard and energized the home crowd.

After the win, I spoke with interim head coach Shannon Harris and asked his thoughts on the gutsy call.

Efficient Ground Game Fuels D.C.

The Defenders racked up 135 rushing yards on the day. Deon Jackson led the way with 89 yards on 10 carries, including his 57-yard touchdown. Jordan Ta’amu contributed 21 rushing yards on 5 attempts, while Chris Rowland added 14 yards on 2 carries. Abram Smith chipped in 11 yards on 4 carries and scored a touchdown.

What’s Next

The 6–2 Defenders will head to Houston to take on the Roughnecks (3–5) on Sunday, May 25. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.