The Oklahoma City Thunder will host the opening game of the 2025 NBA Finals, awaiting the outcome of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks. The Thunder secured their spot by sweeping the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games. Meanwhile, the Pacers lead the Knicks 3-1 and have a chance to clinch the series on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.
The Pacers have reached the conference finals for the second consecutive year after defeating the top-seeded Cavaliers in the second round. The Knicks knocked out the reigning champions, the Boston Celtics, in six games. Historically, the Pacers last appeared in the NBA Finals in 2000 after beating the Knicks, who themselves haven’t won the Eastern Conference since 1999 when they overcame the Pacers.
As the playoffs progress, fans can follow along with the complete 2025 NBA Playoff schedule, including key games leading up to and through the Finals starting June 5th. Important dates to note include the play-in tournament in mid-April, the playoffs kickoff on April 19th, and the NBA Draft Lottery on May 12th.
Fan Take: This matchup signals a thrilling resurgence of classic Eastern Conference rivalries that have been dormant for decades, injecting fresh excitement into the NBA Finals. For basketball fans, this could herald a new era of competitive balance and memorable postseason moments that elevate the sport’s appeal.
