The 2025 NBA Playoffs continue on Wednesday with Game 3 of the NBA Finals series between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
With the series tied at 1-1, both teams are looking to seize the momentum.
The Thunder evened the series on Sunday with a 123-107 victory over the Pacers at home. The series now shifts to Indianapolis for Games 3 and 4.
Here’s the latest bracket along with our predictions for Game 3 and the series.
Updated 2025 NBA Playoff Bracket
Ahead of this series, many predicted an OKC sweep. But with the Pacers’ shock win in Game 1, a repeat of the first-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies became out of the question.
The Thunder are likely to come out on top in this series. But the question is, how many games will it take? Will this be a long slog of a series, like the semifinals against the Denver Nuggets, which went the distance? Or will it be more like the Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves, which only went to five games?
We have this series going somewhere in between, with the Thunder prevailing in six games. Ultimately, it’ll go down to which type of Tyrese Haliburton we see tonight and in the remainder of the series: the Haliburton who fades into the background or the postseason MVP-caliber player?
Saturday, June 8 – 2025 NBA Finals Game 2 Recap
Oklahoma City Thunder 123, Indiana Pacers 107
Series tied 1–1
The Thunder showed their depth on Sunday night, with key contributions by Alex Caruso and Aaron Wiggins off the bench. They scored 20 and 18 points, respectively.
Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander has been remarkably consistent in these playoffs, with another 30-point-plus night — and improved efficiency compared to Game 1.
The Pacers, too, have depth — with seven players scoring in double-digits on Sunday night, but none more than 17.
Moving forward, they’ll need Haliburton to step up big, and an answer for the Thunder’s tight defense on Pascal Siakam, who was held to just 15 points.
Throughout these playoffs, when Haliburton has had an off night, the Pacers have seen other players step up to secure their wins, particularly Siakam. But their offense had no Plan B.
Wednesday, June 11 – 2025 NBA Finals Game 3 Preview
Both the Pacers and Thunder have responded to losses throughout these playoffs with critical adjustments. Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle defeated the Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau in their Eastern Conference Finals chess match, shutting down both Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns when it mattered.
Expect Carlisle’s Pacers to make things more difficult for SGA tonight. The 2025 regular season MVP will probably still score more than 30 points, but on reduced efficiency.
Statistically, the gulf between the Pacers and Thunder in Game 2 wasn’t huge when it came to efficiency from the field, turnovers, and most other metrics. The Thunder made just three more field goals — but 10 more free throws, on 88% shooting from the line. Oklahoma City also grabbed eight more rebounds in total — and four more on the offensive end.
If the Pacers can limit fouls and turnovers, and renew their aggression on the defensive glass, that will produce a pace of play in which they thrive. They’ll probably do that tonight at home, winning this game by a single field goal, before the Thunder win the next three games to take the title.
Game Prediction: Indiana by three.
Series Prediction: Thunder in six.
Time: 8:30 PM Eastern
Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
TV: ABC
Streaming: ABC and ESPN apps and websites
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers: 2025 NBA Finals Schedule and Results
Game 1: Pacers 111, Thunder 110
Game 2: Thunder 123, Pacers 107
Game 3: Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 8:30 PM Eastern — Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN | TICKETS
Game 4: Friday, June 13, 2025, 8:30 PM Eastern — Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN | TICKETS
Game 5: Monday, June 16, 2025, 8:30 PM Eastern — Indiana Pacers at Oklahoma City Thunder | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK | TICKETS
Game 6 (if necessary): Thursday, June 19, 2025, 8:30 PM Eastern — Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN | TICKETS
Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, June 22, 2025, 8:00 PM Eastern — Indiana Pacers at Oklahoma City Thunder | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City | TICKETS
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