- Indiana Pacers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Match Overview
- Player Stats – Indiana Pacers vs Oklahoma City Thunder
- Game Leadershttps://www.basketball-reference.com/
- Team Stats Comparison
- Shot Chart & Play-by-Play
- Season Leaders – Pacers vs Thunder
- Injury Report
- Series Matchups & Head-to-Head Record
- Last Five Games – Form Guide
- Game Odds & Betting Lines
- Indiana Pacers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Match Player Stats 2025-26 NBA Standings
- Game Information & Broadcast Details
- Conclusion
- FAQs
- Who won the Indiana Pacers vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder game?
- Who were the top scorers in the Pacers vs Thunder game?
- What were Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s stats against the Pacers?
- What were Tyrese Haliburton’s stats in the Pacers vs Thunder game?
- Where was the Pacers vs Thunder game played?
- What is the head-to-head record between the Pacers and Thunder?
- What were the team shooting stats for the Pacers vs Thunder?
- Who was on the injury report for the Pacers vs Thunder game?
- What channel was the Pacers vs Thunder game on?
- What are the current NBA standings for the Pacers and Thunder in 2025-26?
The indiana pacers vs oklahoma city thunder match player stats reveal a fascinating contrast between a dominant regular-season force and a resilient underdog that punched far above its weight when the stakes were highest. From an October opener at Gainbridge Fieldhouse to a double-overtime thriller in January and then a seven-game NBA Finals series, these two teams gave fans plenty to analyze. This breakdown covers every box score, player performance, team stat, and contextual factor across all matchups.
Indiana Pacers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Match Overview
Three separate games between these franchises defined the 2025-26 NBA calendar, each with its own narrative.
The first meeting came on October 23, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis — a regular-season opener where Oklahoma City’s depth and efficiency set an early statement. OKC won that one comfortably. The second matchup flipped the script in terms of competitiveness. On January 23, 2026, Indiana traveled to Paycom Center in Oklahoma City and pushed the Thunder all the way to double overtime before falling 141–135. Given Indiana’s 10-35 record at that point, holding OKC to 2OT on the road was no small thing.
Then came the NBA Finals. Game 3 on June 11, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse was the hinge point of the entire series. Indiana trailed for large stretches before exploding for 32 points in the fourth quarter — compared to OKC’s 18 — to win 116–107 and take a 2-1 series lead.
Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring — NBA Finals Game 3:
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 32 | 28 | 29 | 18 | 107 |
| Indiana Pacers | 24 | 40 | 20 | 32 | 116 |
Indiana’s 40-point second quarter was the decisive swing. OKC dominated the first and held its own in the third, but couldn’t match Indiana’s fourth-quarter execution when it mattered most.
All Matchups at a Glance:
| Game | Date | Venue | Score | Winner |
| Regular Season G1 | Oct 23, 2025 | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis | OKC @ IND | OKC |
| Regular Season G2 | Jan 23, 2026 | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City | IND @ OKC | OKC 141–135 (2OT) |
| NBA Finals G3 | Jun 11, 2025 | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis | OKC 107 – IND 116 | IND |
Player Stats – Indiana Pacers vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Indiana Pacers Player Stats
Indiana’s rotation leaned on its core contributors heavily throughout all three matchups, with role players providing key moments when the starters needed rest or faced foul trouble.
| Player | PTS | REB | DREB | OREB | AST | TO | MIN | FG% | FT% | +/- |
| Tyrese Haliburton | — | 9 | 8 | 1 | 11 | — | 36 | — | — | — |
| Pascal Siakam | — | 7.0 avg | 5.3 | 1.7 | — | — | — | 48.4% | 68.1% | — |
| Bennedict Mathurin | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 75.0% (9/12) | 87.5% (7/8) | — |
| Andrew Nembhard | — | — | — | — | 7.1 avg | 2.3 | 31.9 | — | — | — |
| Myles Turner | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Obi Toppin | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Aaron Nesmith | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ben Sheppard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| T.J. McConnell | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Haliburton’s 11-assist, 9-rebound game in the Finals illustrated exactly why Indiana built around him — his 36 minutes of floor-raising point guard play kept possessions organized even when the offense stalled. Mathurin’s 27-point explosion on 9-of-12 shooting with 7-of-8 from the line was the single most important individual performance of Game 3. Siakam averaged 23.8 points per game entering the series and remained Indiana’s most complete two-way piece. McConnell contributed as a secondary playmaker off the bench, while Turner, Toppin, Nesmith, and Sheppard each played situational roles that the full play-by-play reflects.
Oklahoma City Thunder Player Stats
OKC’s roster depth was the defining strength of their season, but star power carried the close moments.
| Player | PTS | REB | DREB | OREB | AST | TO | MIN | FG% | FT% | +/- |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 26 | — | — | — | 4 | 6 | 42 | 50.0% (9/18) | 63.6% (7/11) | — |
| Jalen Williams | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Chet Holmgren | — | 10 | 9 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Luguentz Dort | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cason Wallace | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Alex Caruso | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Isaiah Hartenstein | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Aaron Wiggins | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Isaiah Joe | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kenrich Williams | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ajay Mitchell | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
SGA logged 42 minutes in Game 3 — an enormous workload — and still posted 26 points on 9-of-18 shooting. His 6 turnovers, however, were a direct result of Indiana’s defensive pressure and the physical toll of carrying the offense for extended stretches. Jalen Williams matched him at 26 points, giving the Thunder two genuine first-option threats. Holmgren’s 10 rebounds — 9 defensive, 1 offensive — anchored the interior. Dort, Wallace, Caruso, Hartenstein, Wiggins, Joe, Kenrich Williams, and Mitchell all contributed minutes across the series, with their individual outputs visible in the full play-by-play logs.
Game Leadershttps://www.basketball-reference.com/
Game 3 of the NBA Finals produced the clearest individual performance hierarchy of any matchup between these teams.
Points: Bennedict Mathurin led all scorers with 27. Both Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posted 26 for OKC. Pascal Siakam added consistent mid-range and paint scoring that kept Indiana’s offense moving when Mathurin wasn’t the focal point.
Rebounds: Chet Holmgren grabbed 10 total boards — 9 defensive, 1 offensive — and was the most disruptive interior presence of the game. Tyrese Haliburton matched him with 9 rebounds for Indiana, an unusual but telling stat line for a primary ball-handler.
Assists: Haliburton led both teams with 11 assists. SGA was next at 4, though his 6 turnovers against Indiana’s pressure defense offset some of that playmaking output.
Free Throws and Field Goals: Mathurin shot 9-of-12 (75%) from the field and converted 7-of-8 (87.5%) free throw attempts. SGA went 9-of-18 (50%) from the field and 7-of-11 (63.6%) at the line. The free-throw disparity — Indiana converting at 86% as a team compared to OKC’s 77% — was a meaningful margin in a 9-point game.
Indiana’s 32-point fourth quarter against OKC’s 18 was the decisive run. That kind of swing requires collective execution — multiple contributors making shots, forcing turnovers, and converting at the line in sequence.
Team Stats Comparison
| Stat | IND (Game 3) | OKC (Game 3) | IND (Season) | OKC (Season) |
| Field Goal % | 52% (44-85) | 47% (37-79) | 44% | 49% |
| Three-Point % | 33% (9-27) | 45% (10-22) | — | — |
| Free Throw % | 86% (19-22) | 77% (23-30) | — | — |
| Rebounds | 36 | 42 | 42.8 | 43.8 |
| Assists | — | — | 25.2 | 25.7 |
| Blocks | — | — | 5.0 | 5.8 |
| Steals | — | — | 7.4 | 10.2 |
| Turnovers | 14 | 19 | — | — |
| Largest Lead | 9 | 9 | — | — |
| Points Per Game | 109.9 | 121.4 | — | — |
| Points Against | 118.3 | 107.8 | — | — |
Indiana shot more efficiently from inside the arc on the night and converted at the free-throw line when it counted. OKC held a rebounding edge — both in the game (42 to 36) and across the season (43.8 to 42.8) — and connected on a higher rate from three-point range in Game 3. But Oklahoma City’s 19 turnovers compared to Indiana’s 14 proved costly in a game decided by 9 points.
The season-level gap between these franchises was stark. OKC outscored opponents by nearly 14 points per game (121.4 scored vs 107.8 allowed). Indiana was being outscored by over 8 (109.9 scored vs 118.3 allowed). OKC also led in steals (10.2 vs 7.4) and blocks (5.8 vs 5.0) per game, reflecting their elite defensive profile across the full year.
Shot Chart & Play-by-Play
Shot Chart
The shot variety in Game 3 reflected both teams’ offensive systems clearly.
Oklahoma City leaned on SGA’s pull-up mid-range game and Holmgren’s pick-and-roll finishes — short two-point shots, dunks off lob entries, and occasional perimeter pull-ups. Luguentz Dort added three-point spacing, hitting step-back jumpers from corners and wings. Jalen Williams attacked the paint through driving layups and floating jump shots. Cason Wallace contributed catch-and-shoot looks. Isaiah Joe buried two three-pointers. Kenrich Williams attempted perimeter shots off movement. Alex Caruso chipped in from deep when open.
Indiana’s attack was more varied in its creation. Haliburton weaponized the driving floating jump shot and the step-back three-pointer late in shot clocks. Mathurin generated offense through straight-line drives, pull-up mid-rangers, and catch-and-shoot threes off McConnell’s playmaking. Siakam mixed 11-to-13 foot pull-ups with post touches. Myles Turner looked for three-point attempts and mid-range jumpers as a floor spacer. Ben Sheppard hit pull-up shots in transition. Aaron Nesmith connected on a three-pointer and a mid-range jumper. Obi Toppin crashed the offensive glass and converted short two-point attempts. Andrew Nembhard knocked down a step-back jumper and a three-pointer late. T.J. McConnell directed the second unit through layups and short pull-ups.
Shot types logged across the play-by-play:
- Pull-up jump shots (mid-range and three-point range)
- Driving layups and finger rolls
- Step-back jumpers
- Dunks off lob entries
- Driving floating jump shots
- Three-point jumpers off movement
- Free throws following paint contact
Win Probability & Game Flow
Per ESPN Analytics, Oklahoma City entered Game 3 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse as the strong favorite. At its peak, OKC’s win probability reached 93.7% — Indiana’s chance sat at just 6.3% at that low point. The fourth quarter reversed everything. As Indiana’s 32-point quarter unfolded against OKC’s 18, the probability line swung entirely. OKC’s win probability dropped to 0% as the final buzzer sounded, with Indiana’s closing at 100%.
That kind of swing in a Finals game is rare and speaks to how poorly Oklahoma City executed down the stretch despite controlling large portions of the contest.
Season Leaders – Pacers vs Thunder
Before the Finals, both teams’ statistical leaders were well-established across 45-plus games.
| Category | IND Leader | Avg | OKC Leader | Avg |
| Points | Pascal Siakam | 23.8 PPG | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 32.0 PPG |
| Rebounds | Pascal Siakam | 7.0 RPG (5.3 DRPG / 1.7 ORPG) | Chet Holmgren | 8.4 RPG (6.6 DRPG / 1.8 ORPG) |
| Assists | Andrew Nembhard | 7.1 APG (2.3 TOPG / 31.9 MPG) | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 6.3 APG (2.0 TOPG / 33.3 MPG) |
| FG% | Pascal Siakam | 48.4% | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 55.5% |
| FT% | Pascal Siakam | 68.1% | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 89.1% |
Tyrese Haliburton missed significant regular-season time with his Achilles injury, which is why Nembhard led Indiana in assists per game during that stretch — averaging 7.1 APG across 31.9 minutes per game with just 2.3 turnovers per outing.
SGA’s 32.0 PPG on 55.5% field goal shooting and 89.1% from the free throw line made him the runaway scoring leader in the league. His 33.3 minutes per game efficiency — elite production in controlled time — was a signature of OKC’s disciplined rotation management. Siakam quietly handled nearly every major statistical category for Indiana, posting 23.8 PPG with a 48.4% field goal rate and serving as the team’s most reliable two-way anchor.
Injury Report
Player availability shaped both rosters significantly, particularly for the January 23 regular-season matchup.
Indiana Pacers:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury | Est. Return |
| Tyrese Haliburton | G | OFS (Out For Season) | Achilles | Oct 1 |
| Bennedict Mathurin | G | Out | Thumb | Jan 26 |
| Obi Toppin | F | Out | Foot | Feb 2 |
| Quenton Jackson | G | GTD | Ankle | Jan 23 |
Oklahoma City Thunder:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury | Est. Return |
| Jalen Williams | G | Out | Hamstring | Feb 3 |
| Alex Caruso | G | Out | Thigh | Jan 25 |
| Isaiah Hartenstein | C | Out | Calf | Jan 25 |
| Aaron Wiggins | G | Out | Groin | Jan 25 |
| Ajay Mitchell | G | Out | Abdomen | Jan 25 |
With Haliburton confirmed as OFS (Out For Season) due to his Achilles injury and Mathurin sidelined with a thumb injury, Indiana entered the January game severely depleted in the backcourt. OKC was without Jalen Williams (hamstring), Caruso (thigh), Hartenstein (calf), Wiggins (groin), and Mitchell (abdomen) simultaneously — five rotation players unavailable. That context explains why a 10-35 Indiana team pushed a 37-8 OKC squad to double overtime. Depth versus depth, the gap narrowed considerably.
Series Matchups & Head-to-Head Record
OKC led the regular season series 1-0 after the October meeting, then closed it 2-0 with the January double-overtime win.
| Game | Location | IND | OKC | Winner |
| Regular Season G1 | @ IND | — | — | OKC |
| Regular Season G2 | @ OKC | 135 | 141 (2OT) | OKC |
| NBA Finals G1 | @ OKC | 110 | 111 | OKC |
| NBA Finals G2 | @ OKC | 107 | 123 | OKC |
| NBA Finals G3 | @ IND | 116 | 107 | IND |
| NBA Finals G4 | @ IND | 111 | 104 | IND |
| NBA Finals G5 | @ OKC | 109 | 120 | OKC |
| NBA Finals G6 | @ IND | 108 | 91 | IND |
| NBA Finals G7 | @ OKC | 91 | 103 | OKC |
OKC held home court throughout the Finals and claimed the championship in seven games. Indiana won Games 3, 4, and 6 — all at Gainbridge Fieldhouse — proving they could compete at the highest level on their own floor. Oklahoma City’s away record across the Finals was 2-1 (winning Games 1, 2, and 7), which ultimately made the difference.
Last Five Games – Form Guide
Indiana Pacers Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| 1/21/26 | @ BOS | L 104–119 |
| 1/19/26 | @ PHI | L 104–113 |
| 1/17/26 | @ DET | L 78–121 |
| 1/16/26 | vs NO | W 127–119 |
| 1/14/26 | vs TOR | L 101–115 |
Indiana entered the January OKC game at 10-35 overall, going 2-19 away from home and holding a stronger — though still modest — home record. One win in the preceding five games underscored how far Indiana was from playoff contention at that stage of the season. That context makes the double-overtime showing in Oklahoma City notably impressive for a short-handed, struggling roster.
Oklahoma City Thunder Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| 1/21/26 | @ MIL | W 122–102 |
| 1/19/26 | @ CLE | W 136–104 |
| 1/17/26 | @ MIA | L 120–122 |
| 1/15/26 | @ HOU | W 111–91 |
| 1/13/26 | vs SA | W 119–98 |
OKC entered January 23 at 37-8 with a 20-2 home record and a road record that showed they were equally dangerous away from Paycom Center — winning four of their last five road games before the Indiana matchup. Their one loss in the stretch came at Miami, a narrow two-point defeat. Four wins, three of them on the road, reflected the kind of consistent excellence that made OKC the West’s top seed.
Game Odds & Betting Lines
The January 23, 2026, matchup at Paycom Center produced some of the most lopsided lines of the regular season.
| Market | IND | OKC |
| Spread (DraftKings) | +15.5 (-110) | -15.5 (-110) |
| Total — Over | o226.5 (-115) | — |
| Total — Under | — | u226.5 (-105) |
| Moneyline | +675 | -1050 |
A -1050 moneyline on OKC meant risking $1,050 to profit $100 — one of the steepest prices of the NBA regular season. Indiana at +675 reflected the market’s view of a near-certain OKC win. The game is going to double overtime and finishing at 276 combined points — well over the 226.5 over/under — made it one of the more surprising results of the year from both a point spread and totals standpoint. FanDuel SN OK and FanDuel SN IN carried the regional broadcast, while DraftKings served as the primary sportsbook for the listed lines.
Indiana Pacers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Match Player Stats 2025-26 NBA Standings
Eastern Conference Standings (Central Division)
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | Streak |
| Detroit Pistons | 57 | 21 | .731 | — | W3 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 48 | 29 | .623 | 8.5 | W1 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 30 | 47 | .390 | 26.5 | L2 |
| Chicago Bulls | 29 | 48 | .377 | 27.5 | L6 |
| Indiana Pacers | 18 | 59 | .234 | 38.5 | L1 |
Indiana’s .234 winning percentage placed them last in the Central Division and among the league’s worst records. Their 38.5-game deficit behind Detroit in the division reflects how the regular season unfolded — a team built for playoff competitiveness that suffered key injuries and couldn’t sustain momentum across 82 games.
Western Conference Standings (Northwest Division)
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | Streak |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 61 | 16 | .792 | — | W4 |
| Denver Nuggets | 50 | 28 | .641 | 11.5 | W8 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 46 | 31 | .597 | 15 | L2 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 40 | 38 | .513 | 21.5 | W3 |
| Utah Jazz | 21 | 57 | .269 | 40.5 | L8 |
Oklahoma City’s .792 winning percentage topped the entire league. An 11.5-game lead over second-place Denver in the Northwest Division showed how thoroughly they separated themselves from even strong competition. Their W4 streak at the time of this standings snapshot is consistent with the sustained dominance they demonstrated all season.
Standings impact: Despite Indiana’s regular-season struggles, their NBA Finals appearance — and ability to win three games against the West’s best team — meaningfully shifted the narrative around the franchise heading into the offseason. OKC’s championship validated its historically dominant regular-season record.
Game Information & Broadcast Details
| Detail | Regular Season G1 | Regular Season G2 | NBA Finals G3 |
| Venue | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Paycom Center | Gainbridge Fieldhouse |
| City | Indianapolis, IN | Oklahoma City, OK | Indianapolis, IN |
| Tipoff | — | 8:00 PM ET | — |
| Broadcast | — | FanDuel SN OK / FanDuel SN IN | ABC |
| Referees | — | — | James Capers, Courtney Kirkland, Tony Brothers, Tyler Ford |
NBA Finals Game 3 was broadcast nationally on ABC — the marquee slot reserved for the league’s biggest games. The officiating crew of referee James Capers, Courtney Kirkland, Tony Brothers, and Tyler Ford oversaw a physical, high-intensity contest with 52 combined free throw attempts between both teams.
Conclusion
Across three games — a regular season opener, a double-overtime road battle, and an NBA Finals pivot point — the Pacers vs Thunder matchups delivered layered narratives driven by player health, home court advantage, and clutch execution. Oklahoma City’s 32.0 PPG MVP candidate in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, their .792 regular season winning percentage, and their eventual championship title make them the undisputed dominant force of the 2025-26 NBA season. Indiana’s Finals run — powered by Mathurin’s 27-point outburst, Haliburton’s 11-assist floor-raising, and Siakam’s consistent two-way production — showed genuine resilience from a franchise that finished 18-59 in the regular season yet won three Finals games against the league’s best team. The standings gap between these franchises was 43 games in the regular season. The Finals gap was one game. That contrast tells the full story of the 2025-26 Indiana Pacers vs Oklahoma City Thunder rivalry.
FAQs
Who won the Indiana Pacers vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder game?
Results varied across matchups. OKC won both regular-season meetings — including a 141–135 double-overtime win on January 23, 2026, at Paycom Center. In the NBA Finals, Indiana won Game 3 at home 116–107, and also won Games 4 and 6. Oklahoma City won the championship 4-3 in seven games.
Who were the top scorers in the Pacers vs Thunder game?
In NBA Finals Game 3, Bennedict Mathurin led all scorers with 27 points on 9-of-12 field goal shooting. Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander each posted 26 points for Oklahoma City, making it the only game in the series where OKC’s top two scorers were outperformed by a single Indiana player.
What were Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s stats against the Pacers?
In Game 3, SGA recorded 26 points on 9-of-18 shooting (50% FG%) with 4 assists and 6 turnovers across 42 minutes. His season averages entering the Finals were 32.0 PPG, 55.5% FG%, and 89.1% from the free-throw line across 33.3 minutes per game.
What were Tyrese Haliburton’s stats in the Pacers vs Thunder game?
Haliburton posted 11 assists and 9 rebounds in Game 3 — 8 defensive, 1 offensive — across 36 minutes of play. He was listed as Out For Season (OFS) for the January regular season matchup due to his Achilles injury, which is why Indiana’s assist load shifted to Andrew Nembhard during that period.
Where was the Pacers vs Thunder game played?
The October regular-season game was hosted at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The January road game took place at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, with tipoff at 8:00 PM ET. NBA Finals Game 3 returned to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
What is the head-to-head record between the Pacers and Thunder?
Oklahoma City won both regular-season meetings to hold a 2-0 regular-season series lead. In the NBA Finals, OKC won the series 4-3, taking Games 1, 2, 5, and 7. Indiana won Games 3, 4, and 6 — all at home. OKC’s championship win gives them the overall series advantage across all 2025-26 matchups.
What were the team shooting stats for the Pacers vs Thunder?
In NBA Finals Game 3, Indiana shot 52% from the field (44-of-85) and 86% from the free-throw line (19-of-22). Oklahoma City shot 47% from the field (37-of-79), 45% from three-point range (10-of-22), and 77% at the line (23-of-30). Indiana’s superior free-throw efficiency and field goal percentage were key factors in the 9-point win.
Who was on the injury report for the Pacers vs Thunder game?
For the January 23 matchup, Indiana was missing Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles — OFS), Bennedict Mathurin (thumb), and Obi Toppin (foot), with Quenton Jackson listed as GTD with an ankle issue. Oklahoma City was without Jalen Williams (hamstring), Alex Caruso (thigh), Isaiah Hartenstein (calf), Aaron Wiggins (groin), and Ajay Mitchell (abdomen) — five rotation players unavailable simultaneously.
What channel was the Pacers vs Thunder game on?
The January 23 regular-season game aired regionally on FanDuel SN OK and FanDuel SN IN. NBA Finals Game 3 was broadcast nationally on ABC, the primary television partner for the NBA Finals.
What are the current NBA standings for the Pacers and Thunder in 2025-26?
Oklahoma City finished the regular season 61-16 (.792), first in the Northwest Division and first in the Western Conference. Indiana finished 18-59 (.234), last in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference — a 43-game differential in the standings between two teams that met in the NBA Finals.
