The Indiana Pacers continue to shock the world after winning Game 1 of the NBA Finals. The series is just beginning, but many people, including NBA legend Dwyane Wade, want to apologise to the Pacers.
The NBA Finals are on track between their favorites, Oklahoma City Thunder and heavy underdogs from the Indiana Pacers. Most people expected lightning to be at this stage. However, only a handful have seen Pacer reach the NBA Finals.
The Pacers had another magical run, beating the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks. Tyreese Halliburton is the driving force behind their success and is working as the most dynamic player on the team. Playmaking is his biggest strength, but Halliburton became the clutch maestro in the 2025 playoffs.
Even the harshest critics have to admit that the Pacers have already proven wrong. He’s not a tough analyst, but NBA legend Dwyane Wade has been honest with his doubts about Indiana’s chances in the final. This came when I felt the Pacers weren’t playing the best game.
It’s understandable to choose Thunder as your favorite. In the 2024-25 regular season, the Thunder won 68 games. Getting such a tally is no joke and was able to keep that momentum in the 2025 playoffs.
They ran into the Denver Nuggets as Nikola Jokic and his team forced the Thunder to go all seven games. Despite it stumbling, the Thunder picked up himself and ruled the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games.
With that momentum, people like Wade slammed lightning as their favorites. There is no denying Thunder’s confidence ahead of the final. But people need to be aware of the Pacers’ ability to bring out the impossible by now. That was the reason Wade apologized because he should have seen Game 1 win come.
“You have to do it. Everyone can talk about it, you can start it, you have to finish it, and you have to do it, you have to do it.
“I said here, this game is probably over, I got a cake in my face too. I felt like I was still standing when everyone was obsessed with OKC’s defense. They were still within an impressive distance… They put the pie all over our faces… I’m now even more excited for the NBA Finals.”
“I love that we had the opportunity to jump on… we can jump on here and watch the game together. We talk about it, get it wrong, it’s right, that’s it… we’re fans of the game of basketball.”
In almost every series they played in the 2025 playoffs, the Pacers were underdogs. It’s annoying to face constant doubt, but pacers thrive under pressure. They know that doubt allows them to prove everyone wrong.
After the call that he is the most overrated player in the league, Halliburton continued to raise it to the notch. It didn’t sit well with Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, who defended his player. But it fueled Halliburton and the team.
Thunder was a clear favourite ahead of the NBA Finals. It helps the Pacer because they want to silence doubts and prove their worth. They want to have this opportunity as they feel they could become the Thunder Kryptonite.