The 2025 NBA Finals tipped off with a shockwave no one saw coming — and now, the Oklahoma City Thunder are reeling.
In a stunning upset that’s already being dubbed one of the most shocking Game 1 results in recent Finals memory, the Indiana Pacers came into OKC and stole Game 1, toppling the Thunder 112-104 and silencing a roaring home crowd. The normally composed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder’s undisputed leader, looked visibly frustrated as the final buzzer sounded.
> “We didn’t play to our standard,” a visibly disappointed Gilgeous-Alexander told reporters postgame. “But it’s a series — and we’ll respond.”
But the damage was done — and the internet wasn’t kind.
Thunder Collapse Raises Alarms
Despite coming in as heavy favorites, the Thunder looked out of rhythm all night. SGA finished with 27 points but shot just 9-of-24 from the field and struggled to get easy looks against Indiana’s surprisingly gritty defense. Meanwhile, the Pacers — led by **Tyrese Haliburton’s 31 points and 12 assists** — played like a team with nothing to lose and everything to prove.
> “This wasn’t just a lucky night,” said former coach Stan Van Gundy on TNT. “The Pacers came with a game plan, and the Thunder looked stunned. Flat. Overconfident.”
Fans were quick to criticize Oklahoma City’s defensive lapses, poor shot selection, and lack of urgency. Social media lit up with harsh takes:
> “SGA got cooked by Haliburton. Not MVP behavior,” one post read.
> “Thunder look more like a summer league team than Finals contenders tonight,” another added.
Is the Pressure Getting to OKC?
The Thunder’s meteoric rise this season was one of the league’s most inspiring stories. Young, fearless, and fast — they bulldozed through the Western Conference and entered the Finals with all the momentum. But now, with the Pacers grabbing home-court advantage and the national spotlight glaring, questions are flying:
* Has the pressure finally caught up to this young squad?
* Can SGA bounce back and reassert his dominance in Game 2?
* Are the Pacers a Cinderella story — or a serious threat to take it all?
Game 2 Becomes a Must-Win
All eyes now turn to Game 2, where the Thunder will try to avoid falling into a dangerous 0–2 hole before heading to Indiana.
> “We’ll learn from this,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “But we better learn fast.”
One thing is clear: the 2025 NBA Finals just got *very* real.
Don’t miss full Game 2 breakdowns, exclusive player interviews, and live updates — only on CourtSide Report.
