This year's NBA Finals series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers will be the first in NBA history to feature both team under the luxury tax.
This year's NBA Finals will feature a never-before-seen matchup in the playoffs between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers.
Indiana Pacers / Schedule
The Thunder return to the NBA Finals for the first time in 13 years, looking to bring Oklahoma City its first-ever championship.
While the franchise previously won a title as the Seattle SuperSonics back in 1979, a championship has eluded them since relocating to OKC.
Meanwhile, the Pacers are back in the Finals for the first time in 25 years, aiming to capture the franchise’s first NBA title. Their only previous Finals appearance came in 2000, when they fell to the Los Angeles Lakers.
This series is historic in many ways—but there’s one especially rare feat: both teams enter the Finals under the luxury tax threshold, via Courtside Buzz.
Since the luxury tax was introduced in 2002, this is the first time neither Finals team has exceeded it.
The 2025 NBA Finals tip off Thursday, with the best-of-seven series starting in Oklahoma City.
Like what we are doing? You can express your gratitude here.