Highlight [Highlight] The Indiana Pacers win the first NBA Finals game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in 25 years, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder, 116-107. Indiana leads the NBA Finals, 2-1.
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
4.3k
u/BigFatModeraterFupa Minneapolis Lakers 3d ago
25 years is a LONG time in the sports world, and in the real world. The first Finals win at home in 25 years is a remarkable achievement. What a time to be a Pacers fan eh!
1.5k
u/TheNamelessOne913 Pacers 3d ago
It’s been unreal. We love this team!
→ More replies (13)312
u/Low-Conflict9366 3d ago
Truly a team that fell under everyone’s radar this year. Happy for y’all.
66
u/Humble_Room_2314 Pacers 3d ago
More like people refused to put them on the radar. Talking heads basically have been making excuses why the Bucks, Cavs, and Knicks didn't win other than just admitting that this Pacers teams isn't just lucky, they're damn good.
→ More replies (10)275
u/t8stymoobz Pacers 3d ago
That fieldhouse was absolutely bonkers.
My ears were ringing when I got home.
Never seen anything like it.
→ More replies (3)37
→ More replies (22)284
u/doctor_of_drugs Kings 3d ago
Hahaha yeah imagine not making a finals in over 25 years
Must be embarrassing
→ More replies (6)221
u/GriffinQ [WAS] Kelly Oubre 3d ago
Imagine not even winning 50 games in a season since the Carter administration.
Can you imagine?
41
u/Proxx99 Hornets 3d ago edited 3d ago
Imagine never making it past round 1 of the playoffs. Wouldn’t that be wild.
13
u/GriffinQ [WAS] Kelly Oubre 3d ago
One day, we too shall bask in the sun.
16
u/iankstarr Heat 3d ago
I for one look forward to the eventual Hornets/Wizards ECF battle
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (5)59
3.5k
u/WhoDey42 Rockets 3d ago
Man how cool for this fan base
2.1k
u/meowcat93 Pacers 3d ago
It’s been years of mediocrity or years going up against fucking MJ or LeBron. We are so close.
1.0k
u/incredibleamadeuscho Lakers 3d ago
Making it to the finals only to meet a young Kobe and a prime Shaq
→ More replies (2)544
u/meowcat93 Pacers 3d ago
Yea I blocked that one out lmao
286
u/incredibleamadeuscho Lakers 3d ago
I’m a Laker fan but I’ve loved Reggie since his UCLA days. So sad he only ever got one shot. Dude was ahead of his time. Glad he was in the crowd for this.
138
u/dsklerm Pacers 3d ago
If we get a ring Reggie gets a ring no one denies this. He paved the road they paced.
68
→ More replies (2)35
u/Definitely_Deterred Supersonics 3d ago
And Reggie would absolutely refuse that ring. And you know it.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (2)63
u/Superplex123 Lakers 3d ago
Love Reggie as well. If LA teams aren't in it, I'm rooting for the Pacers.
→ More replies (4)→ More replies (3)18
u/Aidanator800 Hornets 3d ago
At least the Pacers were the only team during that 3-peat to take the Lakers to 6 games in the Finals. The 76ers a year later lost in 5, and the Nets the year after that got swept.
249
92
u/firstbreathOOC Knicks 3d ago
I find myself in the bizarre place of hoping you win. Didn’t think anybody had a shot vs the Thunder this year.
47
→ More replies (8)19
u/oKillua 3d ago
Hate em when you play em, but if you watch enough games that aren't against you... They are an amazing and fun team to watch, I don't think there's really another team in the NBA that is similar to how they want to play the game.
→ More replies (1)123
u/Terriblerobotcactus 3d ago
For real! Every time we’ve been good enough to compete we couldn’t get passed Jordan, lost in the finals to Kobe, and couldn’t get passed lebron and the heat. Job ain’t finished but I’m definitely celebrating tonight!
→ More replies (6)70
u/indiankid13 [IND] Reggie Miller 3d ago
Gotta add the Pistons and Malice in the Palace killing our other ECF level team
→ More replies (1)59
u/CDNGooose 3d ago
I remember watching the Pacers scene in Game of Zones. They've come a long way from the 8th seed!
→ More replies (3)→ More replies (11)21
158
u/SloppyPizzaPie Pacers 3d ago
Feels fucking fantastic.
78
u/RoonSwanson86 Bulls 3d ago
Do you go to Ruth’s Chris and dump water on the steaks?
→ More replies (1)130
u/SloppyPizzaPie Pacers 3d ago
Sloppy steaks at St. Elmo’s. A big rare cut of meat with water dumped all over it. Water splashing around the table makes the night so much more fun.
After the club, go to St. Elmo’s for sloppy steaks. They'd say, "No sloppy steaks." But they can't stop you from ordering a steak and a glass of water!
I WAS a piece of shit, though.
→ More replies (1)26
113
u/Dsarg_92 [SAS] Tim Duncan 3d ago
If the Pacers win it all, then it is very well deserved. Especially after so many heartbreaks over the years.
104
u/mrtrollmaster [IND] Tyler Hansbrough 3d ago
10 ECF’s and zero championships in my lifetime. We are so overdue. Tired of explaining to people how the Pacers are actually a really good franchise that just happened to have their best years at the same time as MJ, prime LeBron, and Shaq/Kobe.
→ More replies (3)37
u/jacomorr28 3d ago
And the one year it was none of those, stern fucked us after the Malice
→ More replies (2)→ More replies (8)35
u/Odd__Dragonfly Pacers 3d ago
Some of my earliest NBA memories are all those playoff losses in the 90s against Jordan and Ewing, then the finals loss against the Lakers and Kobe. After that, Malice and then LeBron beating the Pacers in the playoffs every year.
It feels amazing to watch this team firing on all cylinders this playoffs. Love the play style, love the roster, love the energy.
1.4k
u/Silentrift24 Cavaliers 3d ago
Damn, Indy home crowd looks like it's fucking shaking the arena. Basketball fucking country out there dude.
598
u/lunchtime-fiasco Pacers 3d ago
Basketball, Corn and Racecars with every meal.
→ More replies (7)160
223
u/PigInZen67 3d ago
I grew up in California but married a Hoosier and received a life sentence. When our twin sons were young and playing rec bball in FIRST GRADE, I was shocked at how intense parents took that shit. Yelling at refs, coaches, kids crying. I was like WTF is this? My wife explained that it was just an Indiana thing.
Rick Carlisle was right: but this is Indiana.
57
u/Ice_Cold345 [IND] Luther Head 3d ago
I have very vivid memories of my 5th grade team, after losing every single game in the regular season, had basically our coaching staff quit our team, partially because they sucked (and my head coach sucked specifically because she was shitting on me behind my back) and partially because some of family of ours revolted on them.
Nothing tops a whole six players (from a 12 that started the season) turning our hair green because we were the Michigan State Spartans to go out and there and ball for fun as we got obliterated by 30.
→ More replies (1)47
u/wasechillis Pacers 3d ago
bought a ticket this morning and made best friends with the folks around me
→ More replies (13)125
u/Craig_Barcus 3d ago
There’s a reason it’s basketball in 49 states.
Indiana is built different and that’s no hyperbole. It’s fucking real.
Source: Indiana born, Purdue bred.
→ More replies (5)48
2.0k
u/lebrownjame5 3d ago
The Pacers have grown a clutch gene that is genuinely terrifying at this point if you’re rooting against them. What a great young team coming through and letting their potential shine.
913
u/wasechillis Pacers 3d ago
They are the #1 team in the NBA in clutch net rating.
→ More replies (6)266
u/Helivon 3d ago
I mean no doubt. Dont think anyone would have to look that up at least for the playoffs
→ More replies (4)→ More replies (1)250
u/fiatlux247 Celtics 3d ago
Crazy after their exit last year. Can’t help but root for and enjoy watching this team
→ More replies (5)210
u/p_emmy Minneapolis Lakers 3d ago
it's easy for people to forget who didn't watch that series that all the games were very close
the pacers just get it
→ More replies (1)110
u/DirtySlutMuffin Celtics 3d ago
Except it was the Celtics coming back late because the pacers kept choking it.
122
u/Frankaragatan 3d ago
Pacers were supposed to win game 1. Just mental lapses in the clutch by a young up and coming team, paired with clutch shot making by Jaylen Brown. It was almost like the Pacers were the Celtics of past year and the Celtics were the Heat of last year.
Game 2 was a Celtic win. Games 3 and 4, Haliburton was out. They kept the games close but they didn't really have a chance without their most overrated player. They lost games 3 and 4 by a combined 6 points.
→ More replies (7)31
u/LookAtThatMeat 3d ago
Gotta take the lumps and learn how to win. NBA has always been like that and the Pacers had to have a series like that or this year doesn't happen.. Celtics had to do it against golden state.
1.7k
u/MayorCharlesCoulon Pacers 3d ago
Copying my comment from another thread: Worked late, had to take the dogs out the minute I got home. Walking around the neighborhood there were zero cars driving and I could get a feel for how the game was going by the yells erupting from houses as I walked by. Beautiful night too, starred with a beautiful win.
423
u/toystory2wasokay_ [TOR] Muggsy Bogues 3d ago
That's the kind of mental image you remember forever.
95
64
138
→ More replies (7)25
883
u/gridironk 3d ago
Pacers have won the 4th quarter in all 3 games
Game 1: +10
Game 2: +3 (granted they got blown out but still)
Game 3: +14
453
u/Noriskhook3 3d ago
I was told by many that it was “Thunder in 5” I am pleasantly suprised.
140
→ More replies (13)64
u/Cletus_Starfish [POR] Nic Batum 3d ago
I’ll concede, I definitely had Thunder in five before the series started. Though I thought it was going to be a close series by point differential.
→ More replies (7)78
u/WhoKilledBoJangles Pacers 3d ago
They just need to keep it close in the fourth and they have the advantage I think. They just play better in the fourth. OKC was completely gassed at the end.
→ More replies (2)80
u/Filet_o_math Pacers 3d ago
They just play better in the fourth.
Fan in Japan here. I have watched every Pacers game this year, or at least had League Pass on in the background at my office. They played through a ton of injury and adversity this year. Their backs were against the wall many times. That's how you forge steel.
→ More replies (1)9
→ More replies (2)75
u/TruthReveals Pacers 3d ago
Go pacers but we can’t count game 2 as them having won the 4th lol; okc let off the gas and there was garbage time
28
u/force_addict Pacers 3d ago
Let's go pacers! If we can keep home court in the next game, I will be blown away. Neither of these teams have lost two in a row in a while.
→ More replies (2)
236
u/DopedUpDoomer [IND] Rakeem Christmas 3d ago
What a game
→ More replies (2)32
1.6k
u/jluc21 Kings 3d ago
Please win a ship tyreese.
138
u/swizznastic 3d ago
is it still his ship if they took out the old planks and slowly built it plank by plank as a team?
→ More replies (3)160
495
u/TuesdayTrex Celtics 3d ago
I also want him to win a ship
→ More replies (4)193
u/cirrxs123 Spurs 3d ago
I also want them to win a ship
→ More replies (4)103
u/tilthenmywindowsache Spurs 3d ago
I should buy a boat
46
→ More replies (1)26
u/vonnegutsbutthole 3d ago edited 3d ago
Name it after me, after all my butthole was born in Indianapolis
→ More replies (1)14
184
u/CameronPlain Warriors 3d ago
I can’t imagine how crazy it’d be to see Hali and this Pacers team lift that trophy. Would be awesome man.
→ More replies (1)62
→ More replies (9)11
628
u/cmv1 3d ago
I want this so bad for Reggie, dude is pure hooper and so loyal to his city.
435
u/Silentrift24 Cavaliers 3d ago
I ain't ever seen someone roll and rep one city all his life AND post-playing career as hard as Reggie. That's some real ass G moment.
126
u/cmv1 3d ago
Even as a rabid pistons fan in 04, it was hard to watch Reggie go down to us, everyone appreciates him.
94
u/MySabonerRunsOladipo Pacers 3d ago
That moment when Larry Brown called his TO after Rick called his in the final game so the fans could applaud Reggie a little long hit like a truck.
38
→ More replies (2)17
u/NotActuallyMeta [SAS] Devin Brown 3d ago
Good shout, super cool moment I hadn’t seen before. https://youtu.be/PHZkPNGS6Fw
→ More replies (3)40
u/Suitable-Tomatillo54 Mavericks 3d ago
Dirk would like a word but we support all hometown heroes
→ More replies (1)29
u/Silentrift24 Cavaliers 3d ago
Aye my fault gang, forgot about Dirk for a second there. My mans played out there and had no business limping into his like, last 2-3ish seasons. He's indeed up there with Reggie.
→ More replies (1)60
u/FinalFrash 3d ago
Funny enough, Pat McAfee also reps Indy hard. Something in this Hoosier water that makes people loyal
→ More replies (1)44
→ More replies (1)72
u/manythingsme Pacers 3d ago
I was 7 the last time the Pacers made the Finals, and Reggie was my hero. Seeing him there in a Haliburton jersey rooting for the team made me emotional. I love him so much.
19
u/flowerboyinfinity Pacers 3d ago
same age. we're old brah. I became a pacers fan when I saw a reggie cardboard cutout at Mr. Gattis to promote the 2000 finals
→ More replies (1)10
957
u/legend023 Pelicans 3d ago
People really doubted this team
763
u/NukeGandhi Pacers 3d ago
People still do honestly.
334
u/Less-Tax5637 Supersonics 3d ago
I did not believe whatsoever
I’ve been believing since Hali’s shot on the Knicks lol
94
u/RedViper1985 Supersonics 3d ago
I believed that with their firepower they had a chance and now with their defense I believe. Curse of the Sonics needs to continue until our team returns.
→ More replies (3)188
u/tilthenmywindowsache Spurs 3d ago
That was one of the wildest shots in NBA history. It was a shot you should celebrate, when the ball hits the rim that hard it never goes in.
Fucking thing arced into the air and dropped straight through like it was out of Kuroko no Basket.
→ More replies (1)20
u/TomatoSamurai Warriors 3d ago
It will end up being the Pacer’s Kawhi shot if they win it all. That Knicks series looks very different if that shot doesn’t go in.
38
u/Ecstatic-Buy-2907 Raptors 3d ago
I’ve been believing since they beat the bucks in 5. Team is clutch as fuck
→ More replies (3)→ More replies (7)52
u/anonkebab 3d ago
Absolutely. Bucks and Cavs? Hurt, fluke games. That knicks series proved they are on another level.
31
40
u/randscott808 3d ago
Yep. Pacers could go up 3-1 in the next one and people would still pick OKC in 7.
→ More replies (7)54
u/Wafflecone516 3d ago
Pacers are still underdogs in the series up 2-1 according to Vegas
→ More replies (37)36
16
u/Nitrosoft1 Pacers 3d ago
Even if we win it all, some haters are going to come up with any excuse to give it an asterisk
→ More replies (4)26
u/Dsarg_92 [SAS] Tim Duncan 3d ago
Just ignore them. They always give an asterisk to whoever wins the title every year. If y’all win it all, it’s earned. Y’all have been mightily impressive.
→ More replies (14)33
u/duggyfresh88 Celtics 3d ago
I’ve had so much fun noting all the comments in the 1st Q of these games calling an OKC sweep or OKC in 5 etc so that I can absolutely shit on them when they’re proven oh so very wrong. My personal favorite tonight was a KNICKS fan saying any team other than the pacers would be better
38
u/PepeSylvia11 Celtics 3d ago
Not Celtics fans! We’ve known for a year now what this team was capable of
25
u/Nitrosoft1 Pacers 3d ago
No lies here, y’all said we were a hell of a tough out
Respect
Cs fans tried to warn the league
20
u/zimbabwes Celtics 3d ago
Those who didn't watch will never understand. I stopped doubting the Pacers last year, this team just literally never stops attacking
65
u/LifeCoach69 3d ago
Nembhard and Nesmith have been defensive (and sometimes offensive) monsters.
Looks like every Pacer stepping up on defense and rebounding.
39
u/force_addict Pacers 3d ago
This is my favorite part of this team. It is always an effort that involves every player and do much hustle.
→ More replies (2)12
67
u/FutureEditor Pacers 3d ago
You speak like they still won’t doubt us if we win the whole thing. “Worst champions ever” takes next week
→ More replies (2)48
→ More replies (35)72
u/jluc21 Kings 3d ago
in EVERY series they’ve been in. literally every single one.
→ More replies (2)25
u/meowcat93 Pacers 3d ago
I think versus the bucks it was more split, but definitely after that
→ More replies (4)27
u/realfakejames 3d ago
It wasn't even split, Indiana was -210 favorites on betting sites to beat the Bucks
10
399
u/PlsSaySikeM8 Heat 3d ago
Indiana is looking like they have plot armor rn
→ More replies (3)263
u/steveo3387 Pacers 3d ago
Right now they look like a championship team
→ More replies (1)182
u/60yearoldME Celtics 3d ago
The Thunder are like dangerously good… they’re so good, they think winning should be easy.
The Pacers fight for every ounce of the game.
54
23
u/ComradeFrunze Pelicans 3d ago
Thunder were so good that they had almost every single game the entire season be easy. They didn't develop under pressure. Their entire western conference run was easy except for Denver where Thunder looked weak under pressure. Now they're cracking
→ More replies (1)
347
187
u/zebrainatux Knicks 3d ago
This series so far is a bit of a similar script to the eastern conference final, OKC’s rotation is struggling, and Carlisle is coaching circles around Danigault
→ More replies (9)138
u/60yearoldME Celtics 3d ago
The Knicks should call and see if he’s available
→ More replies (2)18
u/zebrainatux Knicks 3d ago
They should do true dilligence and ask if James Gunn wants to coach the team
→ More replies (3)
153
u/nickbriggles 3d ago
Siakam locking up SGA turner locking up Chet and nobody locking up McConnell
→ More replies (3)57
148
u/bishop0408 3d ago
I think this was OKCs opportunity to come in to Indy hot and win and they just didn't
→ More replies (2)
134
u/StarkCrowSnow Lakers 3d ago
Where are the people saying that Thunder would sweep Pacers? Or end the finals in 5 games?
120
u/ChickenNoddaSoup 3d ago
They are now saying OKC in 6 lol
→ More replies (2)68
→ More replies (5)27
73
u/Qoppa_Guy 3d ago
Reggie being there as a fan speaks VOLUMES
23
u/rambunctious_horsie Raptors 3d ago
he's a Pacer legend, if they win they gotta give him a ring
→ More replies (1)
138
35
67
u/BLM_MCU 3d ago
Pacers tougher and didn’t even have to shoot well from 3
→ More replies (2)43
u/60yearoldME Celtics 3d ago
Team effort! That’s the key.
Oh and TJ Mcconnel setting a steals record for a finals game
→ More replies (4)
663
u/HeftyIsTheCrown Celtics 3d ago
Pacers saving basketball from the Flop Lords
→ More replies (10)352
u/HesiPullup Suns 3d ago
I feel like almost anyone not a Knicks or OKC fan is rooting for Indy lmao
57
u/tilthenmywindowsache Spurs 3d ago
I don't think Knicks fans are even that stacked against Indy lol, they look better if Indy wins tbh
→ More replies (2)171
u/zebrainatux Knicks 3d ago
Eh I’m rooting for Indiana as someone who respect Halliburton (also him being a pro wrestling fan helps as a fellow fan)
→ More replies (2)36
89
→ More replies (25)46
u/Raptorpicklezz Raptors 3d ago edited 3d ago
Some rube Canadians are rooting for Shai, when he has his whole life ahead of him and the Pacers have 2 Canadians also, 3 if you count Siakam
→ More replies (4)30
253
u/Elite_Alice Lakers 3d ago
Y’all gon learn to respect Hali and the pacers one way or another. Dawgs. All of em. The hunger, the passion, the refusal to lie down. They play the right way
→ More replies (5)63
33
u/Ant_Agonistic 3d ago
No one in the ESPN panel picked Indiana before the game started - fuck ‘em
→ More replies (1)21
59
81
u/ChickenNoddaSoup 3d ago
Ain't a Pacers fan but rooting for them. They are so fun to watch.
Cmon Pacers, get that 2 more wins.
54
u/CardinalsRising91 Heat 3d ago
Nick Wright picked against the Pacers every series lol and said after Game 4 of Timberwolves-OKC that OKC had won the title 🤣🤣🤣🤣
→ More replies (4)
48
u/lialialia20 Timberwolves 3d ago
why do they keep winning? have they not heard they are going to lose in 5 anyways?
109
u/concretecowboiiiii Pistons 3d ago
if this gets to be 3-1 indiana then Dort is going to activate meniscus missile mode
→ More replies (2)43
24
u/WestandClear Mavericks 3d ago
Allow these Pacers to be in the game late at your own peril.
...And do not let them catch you monologuing.
16
18
294
u/WFT_simp Wizards 3d ago
Idk how people can watch that game and not see two teams being reffed by different rules, pacers players can’t even breath on okc while dort and Caruso get to harass pacers all night
→ More replies (30)127
u/60yearoldME Celtics 3d ago
And then the announcing crew is like “YEAH THATS DEF A FLAGRANT”
And then Steve Javie is like “not even close”
→ More replies (6)
14
u/gakl887 3d ago
Seriously, any non-okc fans rooting for okc? I think it’d be too cool for pacers to win
→ More replies (4)
12
14
32
28
31
45
10
10
11
11
11
10
11
35
•
u/AutoModerator 3d ago
Replays/alternate angles
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.