2025 NBA FINALS GAME 7 | FOR ALL THE MARBLES

NBA.COM

So it’s down to the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder—one game away from determining which city will finally bring home its first-ever NBA championship.

Now technically, OKC traces its lineage back to the Seattle SuperSonics, who do have a title. But let’s be real: the Thunder have long tried to separate themselves from that history, especially since Seattle’s been vocal about wanting an NBA team back. As for Indiana, sure, they’ve had a storied college basketball tradition—but winning at the NBA level is an entirely different beast.

Of the four ABA teams that merged with the NBA, San Antonio and Denver have already won championships. Indiana, now making just their second NBA Finals appearance, has tied the Brooklyn Nets (formerly the New Jersey Nets) in that department. This is their shot to break that tie—and leave the Nets waiting another year for their elusive ring.

Personally, I’ve got a little bet with myself about who to support. Historically, I tend to root for the Eastern Conference team in the Finals—unless it’s LeBron James and his Miami or Cleveland squads. Not because I hate LeBron (I don’t), but because I just happen to really like guys like Dirk Nowitzki and Steph Curry. That said, I did root for LBJ when he faced off against San Antonio—mainly because the Spurs already had a bunch of rings by then.

Now I’m committing: I’ll spend at least $50 on rookie cards of either Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Tyrese Haliburton, depending on who wins. Only issue? SGA’s rookie cards are pricier. Blame the 2018-19 Panini card craze—they didn’t flood the market yet, and that draft class also includes Luka Doncic, Trae Young, and Jalen Brunson. Meanwhile, Haliburton’s rookie season came during the heavily printed 2020 sets, so his prices are a bit friendlier.

But between the two teams, I’m leaning Pacers. Not just because they’re an East team—it’s also because they weren’t even expected to get this far. The Thunder have been strategically built for years under Sam Presti. Indiana? They clawed their way in and kept fighting, even after upsetting Cleveland. People didn’t really view them as contenders.

The West may have the heavier firepower, but the playoffs are a different story—it’s all fair game once the ball goes up.

So now, all eyes are on Game 7. Will Haliburton and his sore calf summon another Game 6 performance for the ages? Or will OKC’s carefully constructed roster finally pay off and deliver a championship?

Either way, history’s about to be made.