Pacers ready for NBA Finals spotlight: Fueled by doubt, grounded in gratitude, and built with purpose
After travel turbulence and a long season, Indiana enters its biggest stage fueled by doubt, depth, and belief in each other. Inside NBA Finals Media Day 2025.
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Indiana Pacers made their way to the NBA Finals on Tuesday, departing in the afternoon after practice at the Ascension St. Vincent Center.
And boy, were they tested on Day 1 of 20.
With severe storms in the area, the Pacers' flight diverted to Tulsa to refuel. Then it took a sweeping path around the weather before landing in Oklahoma City — hours later than planned.
Just like they’ve done all postseason, however, the Pacers handled it with poise. Whatever roadblocks they’ve encountered — including three Game 3 losses — they’ve responded the right way.
This was no different.
“We took off, and I slept the whole plane ride, which I don't normally do,” said guard Tyrese Haliburton. “We landed, I was ready to get up. They said we were in Tulsa. We sat there for another hour. Then took off again. Felt like we were in the air for another hour and a half.
“… So, like a five-hour travel day. We might as well travel to Portland.”
After a restful night, NBA Finals festivities kicked off at nearby Paycom Center with media day. For about 45 minutes on Wednesday, all but three players were made available to the hundreds of reporters in town to cover basketball’s biggest event.
(The three not made available: rookie Johnny Furphy and injured players Jarace Walker and Isaiah Jackson, who has missed most of the season with an Achilles injury.)
“I think for the most part most of us are anxious, ready to get out there,” said T.J. McConnell. “Just trying to stay in the moment.”
Striking the right balance isn’t easy. These opportunities are rare, and players want to enjoy every moment — without becoming reflective or complacent. They’re trying to treat the next three weeks as normal as possible, even if it’s anything but.
“To me, it's the greatest stage in sports,” said head coach Rick Carlisle, who won an NBA title as a player (1986) and a coach (2011). In a matchup that tilts toward the Thunder in most respects, Carlisle — and his staff — can be their advantage.
“This is the greatest stage,” he continued. “It's the greatest opportunity. It's also the greatest challenge. Because we're going against an opponent that really, on metrics, has really changed the game. And so we got our work cut out for us.”
The Thunder won a league-best 68 games, went 35–6 at home, and were a remarkable 29–1 against Eastern Conference opponents.
“Their depth of great defenders is staggering,” Carlisle said, added that “it’s been a masterclass” for how they’ve developed their organizational philosophy.
Oklahoma City boasts the league’s top-rated defense and the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Pacers, who lost both regular-season meetings, know they have their hands full.
“They're historically great on both sides of the ball,” Haliburton said. “They have the MVP. I mean, there's so many different things you could name down the list of why they are so great at what they do, why they're such a great team.
“We know this is a great team. If we were to win a championship, I don't want to win any other way.”
Embracing Underdog Role
It suits them.
Haliburton was traded from Sacramento. Andrew Nembhard was a second-round pick. Aaron Nesmith never had a meaningful role in Boston. Pascal Siakam wasn’t appreciated in Toronto. And Myles Turner has felt like he’s been on the trading block for most of his 10 seasons in Indy.
Then there's McConnell, undrafted and not re-signed by the 76ers. Obi Toppin was dealt by New York, his hometown team, for a second-rounder.
The two biggest themes from media day were 1) the Pacers embracing the underdog label and 2) the small-market nature of both teams.