The NBA Finals are here, and if you thought this year’s postseason couldn’t get any wilder—buckle up. Because what we’re about to witness is either the official coronation of Oklahoma City’s youth-fueled dynasty or the ultimate revenge tour from Tyrese Haliburton, a man with more slander receipts than Skip Bayless after a Lakers loss. But before we talk about who’s winning rings, let’s just say that no one saw this coming Finals matchup.

Let’s start with the basics: the Indiana Pacers are back in the Finals for the first time since Y2K panic was a thing, and they did it in style. Forget Game 7s and buzzer beaters—Rick Carlisle’s crew handled the Bucks in five, stomped on the Cavs (who were basically held together with medical tape), and dropped the Knicks in six. That’s three rounds and just two losses.

But now, the Pacers have run into a buzzsaw dressed like a baby-faced nightmare. The OKC Thunder aren’t just young—they’re terrifying. Think 2015 Warriors vibes, but with even more depth and less meme-worthy dancing. Led by newly crowned MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder averaged 120.5 points per game in the regular season, which is like having a flamethrower while the rest of the league is still rubbing sticks together.

Let’s talk matchup history: the Thunder went 2-0 against Indiana this season. One of those losses saw Indiana blow a lead faster than James Harden in an elimination game. The other was a full-blown demolition in March. Both times, OKC dropped 120+ points. That’s not a pattern. That’s a warning siren.

Thunder HC Mark Daigneault isn’t just aware of Haliburton—he’s studied the man’s offensive game like a thesis paper. “He’s a great player… he stirs the drink,” Daigneault said, sounding like he was ready to hand Haliburton a bartending license and a playbook.

Daigneault praised Haliburton’s scoring threat as the foundation of his passing wizardry. “You think back to guys like Nash—it’s the threat of scoring that creates the passing lanes,” he explained. “Haliburton can shoot threes, score in the pick-and-roll… he’s a constant threat. And the minute you commit to him? Boom—he’s hitting a teammate in stride like it’s 2007 CP3.”

But here’s where it gets interesting. Daigneault admitted that he hasn’t tracked the Indiana game-to-game. “Most of the stuff I know is from a distance,” he said, like a fan who watched the playoffs on mute while cleaning his garage. Still, his respect is real: “Obviously, a great competitor. Great player. Someone that enhances the guys he plays with.”

Translation: Haliburton’s good—really good. But we’ve got our eyes on you now, Tyrese.

Haliburton’s identity crisis turned statement season

Let’s rewind. Last year, Haliburton made the All-Star team as a starter. This year? Nada. Instead, he got labeled the “most overrated player in the NBA” in an anonymous players’ poll conducted by The Athletic. The same poll also predicted Shai would win MVP—so it’s not exactly from the Skip Bayless school of hot takes.

Did that poll fuel him? You bet. Haliburton told ESPN’s Jamal Collier, “When the season starts, I’m like, ‘I’m going to go now. I’m going to get back at y’all.’”

It didn’t start great. A lingering injury from the 2024 playoffs slowed him down, and Haliburton looked more like a guy stuck in second gear than an engine ready to roar. But once the postseason hit? Boom. Playoff Hali is real. He averaged 18.7 points and 9 assists per game, including a massive triple-double against the Knicks and the game-winning dagger in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Oh, and his Eastern Conference MVP? That went to Pascal Siakam, but Haliburton made sure his fingerprints were all over the Pacers’ Cinderella run. Like it or not, he’s earned his moment.

Let’s get one thing straight: Indiana’s offense is not the issue. They’ve averaged more points per game than the Thunder this postseason. But can they win a shootout with OKC? Unless they turn into the 2016 Warriors overnight, the answer is nope.

Indiana was 9-25 this season when they gave up 120+ points. The Thunder? They scored 120+ five times in the playoffs already. That’s like bringing a slingshot to a tank fight.

Still, Rick Carlisle’s no dummy. Expect him to throw every defensive look in the book—matchup zones, trap doubles, prayer circles. He’s trying to confuse OKC’s rhythm like a bad auto-tune on a Drake feature.

Here’s how the experts are calling it: Botkin: Thunder in 5 – “I expect more than one 20-point win.” Herbert: Thunder in 6 – “Rick Carlisle will throw curveballs.” Maloney: Thunder in 6 – “Indiana hasn’t faced this level of D.” Quinn: Thunder in 5 – “The talent gap is tremendous.” Ward-Henninger: Thunder in 7 – “Tyrese’s life will be a waking nightmare.” Wimbish: Thunder in 6 – “OKC is Taskmaster. Good luck.”

And honestly? That sounds about right. Indiana’s got heart, hustle, and a quarterback in Haliburton who’s gone from “most overrated” to “most dangerous.” But OKC has home-court advantage, depth, defense, and that MVP-shaped wrecking ball named Shai.

This one’s going to be fireworks—but don’t be shocked if it’s also Haliburton’s hardest test yet.