Mussatto: Brace yourselves, Thunder fans. Beating Pacers for NBA title is no safe bet.

If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Pricing and availability are subject to change.
LIVE UPDATES: Follow The Oklahoman's live coverage of Thunder vs. Pacers in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
INDIANAPOLIS — A sea of gold-clad Pacers fans, their chests puffed, spilled onto the concourse after Indiana's 116-107 Game 3 win Wednesday night in Indianapolis. Amid the cacophony of chatter and cheers, I heard something that struck me.
Advertisement
'I still think they think they're supposed to win,' one Pacers fan said.
They, being the Thunder.
I don't know if the Thunder ever thought it was supposed to win these NBA Finals — that kind of entitlement is contrary to OKC's organizational dogma — but not until Wednesday night, filing out of Gainbridge Fieldhouse, did I entertain the idea that the Pacers could actually win this series. That the Thunder could actually lose it.
Maybe the Pacers are a team of destiny. Maybe the Thunder is beatable.
I picked the Thunder in five before the series, and even after Indiana got a split in Oklahoma City, I stuck with my prediction. Thunder in five is no longer mathematically possible. Pacers in five is.
Advertisement
Alternating chants of 'INDY … ANA' echoed in the concrete stairwell as fans exited the arena.
More: Thunder vs Pacers grades: Bennedict Mathurin turns NBA Finals in Indiana's favor in Game 3
'I can't believe we experienced that,' a Pacers fan said as they shuffled onto Delaware Street, where the air was thick with astonishment.
A firetruck did victory laps around the arena. 'Let's go Pacers!' one of the firefighters said over a megaphone.
This series is far from over, but the Pacers have already made it more competitive than most of us thought.
Haliburton was brilliant in Game 3, outplaying Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. T.J. McConnell and the Pacers were Thunder-like in their theft. Bennedict Mathurin outscored … everybody. The Thunder wasted a rare, good 3-point shooting game on the road with brick after brick from the midrange.
Advertisement
Still, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle doubled-down on his praise for the Thunder the morning after Game 3. Carlisle has been in this business long enough to know an all-time team when he sees one.
'The magnitude of the challenge with Oklahoma City is daunting because of the kind of year that they had and how great they are,' Carlisle said. 'They're historically great in so many different areas, and they got the MVP. It's hard. It takes nothing less than everything we possibly have … It's only been three games. It feels like it's been longer.'
Haliburton was similarly humble, which tells you something.
More: How T.J. McConnell, Pacers snatched Game 3 away from Thunder to take 2-1 NBA Finals lead
Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) goes up for a shot against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
'To play against these guys is an honor,' Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton said. 'It's a lot of fun. This is a 68-win team, historically one of the best defenses ever. This is a really good team. They have the MVP. They have a bunch of dudes who are going to be in this league for a long time having a lot of success.'
Advertisement
The idea of this Pacers team beating the Thunder four times in seven tries seemed improbable. Whether you're into analytics or the eye test, there wasn't a rational case to pick the Pacers.
But now … you don't have to squint to envision Haliburton and Co. raising the Larry O'Brien trophy.
And yet I'm still picking the Thunder to win the series. OKC has been here before, down 2-1 to Denver in the Western Conference semifinals. The Thunder won Game 4 in Denver which set up a three-game series with two of the final three games in OKC. The Thunder won that series in seven, and could follow the same blueprint against the Pacers.
'I can't say enough good things about their team as a group,' Haliburton said. 'I think the most fun part about basketball is if you're going to win, you don't want to do it any other way than to beat the best. This team has been the best team in the NBA all year. They consistently respond when their backs are against the wall.'
Advertisement
Can the Thunder do it again? I think so.
That Pacers fan made me pause, though. Maybe Indiana could actually do this.
More: Thunder vs Pacers prediction: NBA Finals Game 4 odds, injury updates for OKC-Indiana
Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com . Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com .
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder was favorite to win NBA Finals, but Pacers flipped narrative

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

CBS News

15 minutes ago

• CBS News

James Tibbs III reacts to being in Rafael Devers trade, excited for potential future with Red Sox

While the Red Sox will see Rafael Devers in his new San Francisco Giants uniform this weekend, it might be a while before Boston fans see any of the players the team received in the surprising blockbuster. That is unless they head to Worcester or Portland, Maine. While Devers is already mashing for the Giants, the four players the Red Sox received are either injured or in the minor leagues. Hard-throwing reliever Jordan Hicks is sidelined with a foot injury, while lefty starter Kyle Harrison, outfielder James Tibbs III, and pitcher Jose Bello will be taking the bus for the foreseeable future. Harrison was sent to Triple-A Worcester after Sunday's trade was completed, and has yet to make his debut for the WooSox. Tibbs, meanwhile, is now in Double-A Portland where he made his debut for the Sea Dogs on Tuesday. The outfielder/first baseman, who is currently ranked the No. 6 prospect in the Boston system, collected his first career hit at the Double-A level on Wednesday. On Thursday night, he went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI and two runs scored for Portland in a 7-6 loss to Akron. Tibbs spoke with WBZ-TV's and CBS News Boston's Joe Weil ahead of Thursday's game and shared his reaction to being traded to the Red Sox, an organization he had always hoped to be a part of. He just had to take a different and very unexpected route to join the Boston franchise. Tibbs' reaction to be traded to the Red Sox Devers was traded just hours after he hit a home run for Boston in a 2-0 win over the Yankees at Fenway Park. He and his teammates were about to board a flight and head off on a nine-game west coast swing, when Devers was pulled aside and told he had been dealt to San Francisco. Tibbs' trade story was just as interesting. He was wrapping up his final game with the Eugene Emeralds in High-A ball and had just worked a walk in the ninth inning. When he got to first base, he was surprised to see he was being lifted for a pinch runner. When Tibbs got back to the dugout, the team's pitching coach handed him a phone. The director of San Francisco's farm system was on the other end, and told Tibbs he had been traded to the Boston Red Sox. "My first thought was, 'Huh, no kidding. Alright.' A lot of emotion," Tibbs told Weil. "Definitely was very sad to leave those guys; I had a great time over there and had a blast with that group of guys in Eugene. But I was immediately so fired up to become a Red Sox." Tibbs got a taste for baseball in New England when he played for the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2023. "Being in New England and playing in the Cape, I knew the love for Boston sports and the Red Sox specifically," he explained. Then Tibbs started wondering how he ended up in Boston. "Then I was like, 'Alright, who was I traded for?' When I found out it was Devers, I was like, alright, this could go one of two ways. It went both ways for sure, with a lot of mixed emotions. I tried my best not to go on social media and get my feelings hurt," he said. While the reaction among Red Sox fans certainly swayed one way after the trade was announced, it didn't take away from Tibbs' excitement. He said it was extremely humbling to be in the trade package for a player like Devers. "To be a part of something like that, it's very cool, very humbling. Very appreciative of the Red Sox giving me a chance to come and play here," said Tibbs. "Couldn't be a better spot, a better opportunity. I'm ecstatic to be here." Tibbs in the Cape Cod Baseball League Tibbs put together a solid campaign for the Whitecaps in his lone season on the Cape, slashing .303/.390/.472 with six homers, six doubles, 25 RBI, and 17 runs scored over 40 games. He was drawn to the region that summer, and hoped to return for his pro career. "I remember walking away like, 'Wow. This place is fantastic.' The people, the places, there are so many cool spots here. I'm a big food guy, and the food is phenomenal so I'm excited to be back for that as well," he said. What food is Tibbs looking forward to scarfing down the most? "Clams and lobster," he said. "It's hard to beat." Tibbs was drafted by the Giants with the 13th overall pick out of Florida State in 2024. He was hoping to go to Boston at 12th overall, but the Red Sox picked Braden Montgomery instead. (Montgomery was traded to the White Sox in the Garrett Crochet trade over the offseason.) "This was a place I had hoped to play one day," Tibbs said of the Red Sox. "I had hoped they picked me in the draft, but they didn't and now I'm here anyways. Pretty funny how the circle comes around in full." Tibbs is hoping to get a crack at Fenway Park in the near future. He was supposed to get a chance to hit some batting practice at the famous ballpark during a prospect day while with Brewster, but it was canceled because of rain when he was on-deck. "It's always been in the back of my mind. At least if I play one game in the big leagues with the Giants, I had hoped it was at Fenway. Now I get the opportunity to call it home," he said. "It's even cooler for me and even cooler for us as a family."

Yahoo

22 minutes ago

• Yahoo

"He Was Not In Jail": Tyrese Haliburton Clears The Air On Father Not Attending Pacers' Games Up To Now

"He Was Not In Jail": Tyrese Haliburton Clears The Air On Father Not Attending Pacers' Games Up To Now originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Pacers have taken a 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference Finals series against the Knicks. Tyrese Haliburton put on a show for his home fans with a triple-double. He had 32 points, 15 assists, and 12 rebounds. But the biggest storyline for him in this game was that it was his father's first game back from the ban he had on attending both home and away Pacers' games. Pacers lifted the ban on their home arena, but the NBA has still disallowed Mr. John Haliburton from traveling with the team. Advertisement Haliburton spoke to the media after his glorious Game 4 performance and also brought up what it was like to have his father back at games. Haliburton had a broad smile on his face as he seemed to point out that the media seemed to have blown the whole issue out of proportion. 'I just wanted to put on a good performance, you know, I wanted to win the game. You know, obviously my dad being here is special, but I mean, growing up, like, my dad was reffing a lot on the weekends, so he didn't get to come to many of my games growing up. So when he would come to my game, I'd want to play well. So with him being the building, of course, I wanted to play well. But I mean, we ain't got no we're saying free pops and pops is free, but he was not in jail. He happened to be in a very beautiful home, sitting very pretty, watching NBA basketball. He's just fine. So yeah, I was happy he was in the building.' Haliburton put on a show for his father's comeback to Pacers' games. He joined Russell Westbrook as the only players in NBA history with 20 points, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds in a single half of the Playoffs. Why Tyrese Haliburton's Father Was Banned From Pacers' Games Tyrese Haliburton's father got into an altercation with the Bucks' superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo on the court after the Pacers eliminated them in five games. Giannis got triggered by Haliburton's father coming onto the court for what seemed to him as trash-talk directed at him. Antetokounmpo confronted Haliburton's father and also spoke out to the media about how the comments hit a nerve for him. John Haliburton later clarified that the Bucks' star had misunderstood trash talk that was directed at Pacers fans from an enthusiastic father to be hurtful comments directed at Giannis. He even issued an apology. Advertisement As a result, John Haliburton was banned from attending any of the Pacers' games in their second-round series with the Cavaliers. The Pacers now head to New York to possibly close out their series against the Knicks in five games as well. While Haliburton's dad will not be at Game 5, he will certainly be at Game 6 if the series goes on till then. Related: Tyrese Haliburton Makes A Statement After "Big Win" In Game 4 Against The Knicks This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on May 28, 2025, where it first appeared.

Yahoo

23 minutes ago

• Yahoo

T.J. McConnell's Father Crashes His Interview On TV And Catches Him Off Guard With Old Story: "It's A Dream Come True"

T.J. McConnell's Father Crashes His Interview On TV And Catches Him Off Guard With Old Story: "It's A Dream Come True" originally appeared on Fadeaway World. T.J. McConnell provided the necessary spark from the bench as the Pacers forced a Game 7 in their NBA Finals series against the Thunder. The Pacers' veteran played only 24 minutes in the game and stuffed the stat sheet. He finished the game with 12 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals. Advertisement Following the game, the crew of NBA TV, including NBA legend Isiah Thomas, interviewed McConell. They were poking him about yelling at his father, Tim McConnell for not being taller or marrying someone taller, when they saw him behind the camera. Thomas invited McConell Sr, who seemed offended, to also join them, and he came running. "He finds a way to get everywhere," said McConell hilariously as his father greeted the entire crew personally. 'I'm telling you right now, he's a warrior, you're right. It doesn't matter how tall you are,' said Tim in response to the jab on his height. He then moved on to give his opinion about his son's performance. 'Excellent, just disappointed he missed two foul shots. In the beginning, I kept saying, 'Man! I wish he'd have made those two foul shots' but he recovered and we won the game. I can forget about the foul shots; anything can happen in Game 7, we're going to OKC to try to win a world championship. And my son's a part of it, I can't believe that.' Advertisement Isiah Thomas then asks Tim why his son claims that he is more strict on him than he is on T.J.'s sister, Megan McConnell. 'He says that, but that's a lie. Let me tell you, my daughter won the undefeated state championship, he lost in the state championship, we lost two games. So undefeated, he didn't play well in the state championship, he played great but we didn't win it.' 'It's unbelievable,' said the embarrassed Pacers veteran in disbelief. 'The truth hurts,' responded his father. But he made sure to remind him how proud he is of his achievements now. "I can't be more proud to say I have a son in the NBA and a daughter in the WNBA... this is a dream come true. And I'm going to OKC for my son to play in the championship game, to win the world championship.' T.J. McConnell has averaged 11.3 points, 4.5 assists, and 3.2 rebounds in six games played so far in this series. But the standout number is that he averages 2.3 steals per game in this duration. Averaging 19 minutes played per game in this series, McConnell is an essential part of the Pacers' bench. Yet it is surprising to hear that his performance has already brought him into the discussion to potentially become the Finals MVP in this series. Lakers Veteran Picks T.J. McConnell For Finals MVP The NBA veteran twins, Markieff Morris and Marcus Morris, appeared on their podcast with the Playmaker following Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Marcus asked Markieff who he would pick for the Finals MVP in this series. The Lakers' veteran felt that if T.J. McConnell continues to play like this in Game 7 and the Pacers win the championship, then he would pick him for the Finals MVP over Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. Advertisement "If the Pacers win and he continues to play like he has been in these last couple of games, I'm going with T.J. McConnell, bruh.' 'F**k outta here!' responded his brother in disbelief. 'I'm going with T.J. f**king McConnell, he's single-handedly winning these games for these boys, man. The loudest 12 in NBA history, anytime he scores like damn!' T.J. McConnell was crucial in their Game 3 win of this series, and the Pacers' coaching staff received a lot of criticism for not playing him in the fourth quarter of Game 5 when he had sparked their comeback in the third quarter. And now with his essential contributions in Game 6, he has certainly put his name in the elite discussion. Advertisement Related: Drake Loses $800K Bet On NBA Finals Following Thunder's Game 6 Upset This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.