Indiana, it’s finally your turn again. After a 25-year wait, the NBA Finals returns to the place where basketball is king on Wednesday. Indianapolis will be the scene, and the Indiana Pacers will host the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Finals, with the series tied 1-1.
Before we preview the game, I wanted to reflect on what this moment means to so many people. For years, the Pacers have been a constant source of joy for basketball lovers in this state. It’s a franchise that has even united Hoosier and Boiler fans together. From Reggie Miller and Rik Smits, to the Paul George teams that went toe-to-toe with Miami, to the current squad led by Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers have brought a lot of pride to fans for decades. And now, it’s their second-ever trip to the NBA Finals, and the people are as passionate as ever about their beloved team.
I asked Pacer fans over social media what it means to them to see their team back on the biggest stage in the sport again. I received over 200 replies in just a few hours, which says a lot by itself. Here are some of my favorite replies:
Jeremiah Clark said: “It means that all the days of my dad putting the pacers spirit through me is paying off. I just wish he was here to see it with me, but Wednesday I get to take part of my dad with me with his ashes to the finals so we can both be in attendance.”
Aaron Daeger has a similar experience: “I was 10 when my dad took me to a finals game in 2000. He is why I love basketball and this team so much. He has since passed and when I am at Game 4, it will be emotional on many levels. Win or Lose its going to be something I never forget.”
@EYIndy said this: “Validation. For crying in my seat after Tayshaun blocked Reggie. For staying loyal during Diener, Dunleavy, and Murphy days. For hopelessly cheering against LeBron. For convincing myself Turbonis could work. For trusting Oladipo. For overcoming Malice in the Palace. For Reggie.”
Patrick Judd added: “It means closure, for VO, for PG24, for everyone that came before this 2025 team. It means Indiana as a team and a state finally gets the respect it deserves.”
Other fans said things like: “It’s like re-living my childhood,” to “it means so much I’m flying across the country to see it,” and “it means the underdog can make it.” While others talked about shooting hoops at night with the streetlights on, or how this Finals run is “like a dream.”
The nostalgia and the new memories are both amazing, but do these Pacers actually have what it takes to win the championship? It’s been a magical run to say the least, but Indy’s biggest challenge is the one staring them in the face. Oklahoma City is an incredible team that has won over 80 games this season (including playoffs). And the fact is, they have looked like the better team through the first two games.
The good news for the Pacers, is that the Thunder have looked very human on the road in the playoffs. In seven road games, the Thunder are 4-3 and don’t have any dominant wins. They’ve been blown out a few times, and have simply been a much more dominating team when they’re on their home court. Can the Pacers protect home court on Wednesday and take a 2-1 series lead? If they can do it, it would set the stage for a massive opportunity in Game 4 on Friday.
The Pacers need a bigger effort from their star players Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. This is a team that has responded to losses all season, and they actually haven’t lost back to back games in three months. They’ve also won 11 straight games when coming off a double-digit loss. It’s a resilient team that will look to show that resiliency again.
My biggest question for the Thunder: How will the role players play on this stage away from their home stadium? If they aren’t impacted by the moment and the environment, it could be lights out for the Pacers dream. If they are, the dream could become a reality.
The first team to win four games will become NBA Champions for the first time in their franchise’ history. The wait is over, and the Finals have returned. Enjoy every minute of this amazing ride.
Tyler Smith covers the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Hoosiers for IndySportsLegends and is a frequent contributor to the Journal Review. He is also the youth and sports pastor at New Hope Christian Church.
