On May 31, 2025, the Indiana Pacers defeated the New York Knicks 125-108 to win the Eastern Conference Championship 4-2, allowing them to advance to the NBA Finals. This came after the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-94 a few days earlier to win the Western Conference Championship 4-1.
Both series featured exciting matchups at times, as teams made comebacks, hit game-winners and gave their all in an effort to advance. However, some believe that the Timberwolves vs. Thunder series was less entertaining than the Pacers vs. Knicks series. Of the five games in that series, four were won by large margins–typically by the Thunder.
“Western Conference Finals so far, Game 1 – Blowout. Game 2 – Blowout. Game 3 – Blowout,” former NFL quarterback and sports media personality Robert Griffin III said in a post on X. “Where is the competitive basketball?!?”
More attention was focused on the Pacers vs. Knicks series, as the games were consistently close. Game 1 was perhaps the most electric, as the Pacers fended off a comeback by the Knicks with a buzzer-beater from Tyrese Haliburton, tying the game and ultimately winning in overtime. The Thunder and the Pacers will play Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday, June 5, at 8:30 p.m.
