The Oklahoma City Thunder are back in the NBA Finals for the first time since a young Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden were in town. OKC has a new ‘big three’ this time, and it’s ready to lead the franchise to its first ever NBA championship.
Maybe Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren aren’t quite as talented as Durant, Westbrook, and Harden on-paper, but it’s possible this Thunder core fits even better together than the last one to reach the NBA Finals. OKC was defeated by the Miami Heat in the 2012 NBA Finals for the first championship of LeBron James’ career. It seemed like that Thunder group was going to have a long window, but financial constraints forced Harden out of town the next season, and Durant departed via free agency following the 2016 season. Once again, this Thunder group should be set up for a long run of success, but their potential dynasty can’t start until they win the 2025 championship.
The Thunder will be the favorite in the NBA Finals regardless of who they face. The Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks are slugging it out in the Eastern Conference Finals, but the schedule is already set for the 2025 NBA Finals with the Thunder awaiting the winner.
This year’s Thunder are one of the most dominant teams the NBA has seen in a long time. OKC finished with a +12.8 net-rating, which ranks as the second-best ever behind the legendary 1996 Chicago Bulls. OKC’s 68 wins during the regular season are tied for the fifth-most in NBA history. The Thunder can credit their success to their defense: OKC posted by far the best team defensive rating in the NBA this season, and their success was fueled by a historic ability to force opposing offenses into turnovers.
The Thunder reached the 2025 NBA Finals by sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies in round one, surviving a brutal seven-game series against the Denver Nuggets in round two, and blasting the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games in the conference finals. All of their young stars are growing up before our eyes.
Gilgeous-Alexander was named NBA MVP during this playoff run. The 26-year-old guard was phenomenal in the conference finals against Minnesota, finishing the series with averages of 31.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game. Williams (22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game) and Holmgren (18 points, six rebounds) also thrived against a tough Wolves defense.
The Pacers can close out the Knicks on Saturday night to punch their ticket to the 2025 NBA Finals. If New York wins on the road, Game 7 will be Monday night at Madison Square Garden. Whenever the Eastern Conference Finals end, the NBA Finals’ schedule is already set. Here’s how to watch each game.
2025 NBA Finals schedule, dates, TV times, and more
Game 1, Thursday, June 5: Thunder vs. Knicks/Pacers | 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC/fubo
Game 2, Sunday, June 8: Thunder vs. Knicks/Pacers | 8 p.m. ET, ABC/fubo
Game 3, Wednesday, June 11: Knicks/Pacers vs. Thunder | 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC/fubo
Game 4, Friday, June 13: Knicks/Pacers vs. Thunder | 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC/fubo
*Game 5, Monday, June 16: Thunder vs. Knicks/Pacers | 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC/fubo
*Game 6, Thursday, June 19: Knicks/Pacers vs. Thunder | 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC/fubo
*Game 7, Sunday, June 22: Thunder vs. Knicks/Pacers | 8 p.m. ET, ABC/fubo
