Image Source: X
[Saba Sports News] The Oklahoma City Thunder couldn’t have picked a worse time for one of their sloppiest performances of the season.
Despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring a game-high 38 points and the defense forcing 25 turnovers, they still lost Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals to the Indiana Pacers, 111-110. The Pacers, who led for just 0.3 seconds, stole home-court advantage in stunning fashion.
“One-point losses are emotional, and you have to be able to strip away the emotions,” said Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault on Saturday. “There’s a lot we did well to build a 15-point lead, and we don’t want to throw that away. We have plenty of room to improve.”
Improvement is the mission as the Thunder prepare for Game 2 on Sunday. While the Pacers are playing loose and confident, Oklahoma City has sharpened its focus. They know they let one slip — and they know they can’t afford to do it again.
Indiana improved to 7-2 on the road in the playoffs, and even with multiple issues in Game 1, Tyrese Haliburton still found a way to break the hearts of the Thunder and their raucous home crowd.
The pressure is mounting — a second straight loss would put the Thunder in a dangerous hole. Still, the team isn’t letting that pressure shake them. In fact, Jalen Williams sees it as a privilege.
“I try to think of myself as someone uncommon,” Williams said. “I don’t use being in my third year as an excuse. I’m expected to perform. Pressure is a privilege. I enjoy being counted on. I’ve felt that since last year, and now we’re here in the Finals.”
There were encouraging signs for both Williams and fellow young star Chet Holmgren. Williams had some success defending Pacers forward Pascal Siakam, while Holmgren found quality offensive looks — though he finished just 2-of-9 from the field.
What matters most now is correcting mistakes. Despite yet another fourth-quarter collapse, Gilgeous-Alexander’s mindset hasn’t changed.
Though the Thunder are young — with only Alex Caruso having NBA Finals experience — their poise has carried them all season. They haven’t lost back-to-back games in the playoffs and dropped consecutive games just twice all year.
Gilgeous-Alexander (26), Williams (24), and Holmgren (23) may be young, but their composure reflects a team built for the moment.
The MVP remains the emotional anchor. Rather than overreacting, he remains steady — just like the team he leads.
“I let the game go as soon as I learn the lessons from it,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Watch film, take what we need as a group, then move on. There’s nothing else you can do. And this team makes that easy.”
Oklahoma City has bounced back from adversity all season. They’ve been here before — and they’re treating Game 2 as business, not panic.
“You don’t have to fire anyone up,” Gilgeous-Alexander added. “We all know the goal. We all know what it takes to win. That’s what we’re focused on.”