Some Oklahoma City Thunder fans hollered a loud message as they headed for the exit.
“Thunder in 7! OKC in 7!”
Not at GainBridge Fieldhouse in Indiana, though, where the Thunder suffered a 116-107 loss to the Pacers Wednesday night in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. This group of OKC fans expressed its confidence as it exited a baseball stadium.
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ONEOK Field, home to the Tulsa Drillers, hosted a watch party in downtown Tulsa for Game 3. Fans got in free and were able to watch the game on the left-field jumbotron, which is perhaps the largest screen in Tulsa — and it was yet another reminder of how strong the Thunder fanbase is.
Several groups of OKC fans sat on blankets or towels in the outfield for a closer view of the screen. Others sat in traditional seating, mainly along the first-base line. Nonetheless, it was a solid turnout, considering it was a Wednesday night.
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Thunder watch party at ONEOK Field (copy)
Fans sit in the outfield and the stands of ONEOK Field as the sun sets during a watch party for an Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers NBA finals game on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
“It was honestly a little emotional just walking in and seeing the community come together and seeing how excited everyone was,” Whitney Parr, a Thunder fan sitting in the outfield, said.
Roughly 30 minutes before tip-off, the outfield started to fill up. The kids in attendance made use of the turf by playing two-hand touch football, kicking a soccer ball to each other, or attempting to keep a volleyball in the air.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren jerseys dominated the night with some former Thunder player jerseys making an appearance, too — James Harden, Kendrick Perkins, Josh Giddey, Russell Westbrook and Paul George. No Pacers jerseys were seen.
Thunder watch party at ONEOK Field (copy)
Fans fill the seats and the outfield of ONEOK Field during a watch party for an Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers NBA finals game on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
Holmgren scored the Thunder’s first points, and the crowd quickly let out a loud cheer. When Luguentz Dort touched the ball for the first time and made a 3-pointer in the first quarter, OKC fans made sure to do the chant you’d hear at a game at Paycom Center.
A long “LUUUUUUUU.”
“It’s a cool community event that not every city in the country would do,” RJ Parr said. “In like Houston or Dallas, you’d be paying 20 bucks to get in, and you’d be paying 20 bucks for parking… When I was walking in, I was just like, ‘man, what a cool experience.’”
George Korikian — a Thunder fan sitting in the outfield — has been to ONEOK Field several times, including for an NBA Finals watch party in 2012 when the Thunder faced the Miami Heat.
Korkian said the setup at the stadium Wednesday night was “basically the same” as the watch party he attended in 2012, and that both had good turnouts. The one in 2012 was on a Friday, though, so it was a “bit more packed,” he said.
“I think it’s great that they do this,” Korkian added. “It’s free, which is great, and you’re here interacting with a bunch of other fans excited to be here.”
Football, soccer and volleyball games kept young fans occupied all night in the outfield. But as the Thunder and Pacers back-and-forth battle continued, the crowd at ONEOK Field got louder.
Thunder watch party at ONEOK Field (copy)
Fans make their way to claim spots in the outfield during a watch party for an Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers NBA finals game at ONEOK Field on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
Even with a drizzle of rain coming down in the fourth quarter, most fans stayed where they were and kept their attention on the big board in left field.
Thunder forward Jalen Williams got downhill and made a shot at the rim to tie the game at 98 apiece with 7:41 left. Thunder fans followed Williams’ bucket with an ignited “OKC” chant as the Thunder got back on defense.
But Indiana went on a quick 9-2 and took a 107-100 lead on an explosive putback dunk from Obi Toppin. The crowd at ONEOK Field then let out a nervous “OHHH,” as the Pacers pulled away to take a 2-1 series lead.
Now, with the Thunder trailing in the series, ONEOK Field will host two more watch parties. Friday night for Game 4 and Monday night for Game 5, when the series returns to OKC.
Thunder watch party at ONEOK Field (copy)
Gary Welch, who has worked with the Drillers for 23 years, walks though the crows in the outfield during a watch party for an Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers NBA finals game at ONEOK Field on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Daniel Shular, Tulsa World
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