The Oklahoma City Thunder are enjoying one of the best seasons in the history of their young franchise. They finished the regular season with the league's best record and boast the league's Most Valuable Player in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
After defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 4-1 in the Western Conference Finals, they're heading to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012. Fans of the Thunder will hope this trip, just the second in the Thunder's history, will prove to be more fruitful than the last time when they fell to LeBron James and the Miami Heat.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) in the fourth quarter during game two of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Celtics delivers clear Shai Gilgeous-Alexander statement
One thing that's been particularly impressive about the Thunder is that they've displayed the same dominance in the postseason as they did in the regular season. Oftentimes, when a superstar progresses further into the playoffs, the scoring production tends to dip.
That hasn't been the case with Gilgeous-Alexander, though. If he can keep up that MVP level of play, the Thunder could win this one going away.
Former Celtics player Paul Pierce detailed what an NBA Championship would mean for Gilgeous-Alexander at this point in his career.
"A championship for SGA will not only make him the greatest Thunder, it ensures his statue at the tender age of 26," Pierce said. "If he were to leave Oklahoma City after this year, best believe they're gonna put a statue of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for giving OKC their first NBA Championship in franchise history, which I believe will happen."
Pierce is not alone in believing the Thunder will be hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Ahead of Game 1, DraftKings Sportsbook lists the Thunder at -700 odds, implying a probability of 87.5%.
However, the Pacers are battle-tested after knocking off the Milwaukee Bucks, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the New York Knicks, and won't make the Thunder's pursuit of the championship an easy one.