The Oklahoma City Thunder are at home on Thursday night as they host the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Oklahoma City enters the series amid a dominant playoff run as they were able to easily advance their way to the NBA Finals, though they were tested in the second round by the Denver Nuggets.
For the Pacers, they have also dominated their way to the NBA Finals as they have blown through the Eastern Conference.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) celebrate after a play.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2), guard Luguentz Dort (5) and forward Chet Holmgren (7) celebrate after a play.
© Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Now both teams are coming off an extended break as they try to win Game 1 to take an early advantage in the series.
For the Thunder, they enter Thursday’s contest with a clean injury report as they only have one player listed on it.
That player is rookie guard Nikola Topic who has been ruled out due to recovery from a torn ACL that he suffered last summer.
With Oklahoma City’s rotation healthy, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, they will look to use home court to their advantage to grab an early lead in the series.
On the other side, the Pacers enter Game 1 with some of their key players beat up as they have listed three players on their injury report.
Nov 6, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker (5) celebrates a made basket in the second half against the Orlando Magic at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Nov 6, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker (5) celebrates a made basket in the second half against the Orlando Magic at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Indiana has ruled out Jarace Walker due to an ankle sprain and Isaiah Jackson has also been ruled out as he continues to recover from a torn Achilles that he suffered at the beginning of the season.
The Pacers have also listed Tony Bradley as questionable due to a hip flexor sprain that he suffered in the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks.
While it would be a major blow if Bradley joins Walker as being sidelined in Thursday’s game, the Pacers’ main rotational pieces are healthy as they try to steal yet another Game 1 on the road.
Fans can catch Thursday’s Game 1 matchup between the Pacers and Thunder at 8:30 p.m. EST on ABC.