Thunder Seek Resilience After Game 1 Loss in NBA Finals

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — The Oklahoma City Thunder are looking to regain their footing in the NBA Finals after a narrow loss to the Indiana Pacers in Game 1. The game, played on June 5, 2025, ended 111-110, with Tyrese Haliburton sinking a last-second shot to secure the victory for Indiana.

Despite establishing a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter, the Thunder fell short, leading coach Mark Daigneault to reflect on his team’s overall performance. “I don’t think anybody played their best game,” he said after the loss.

Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, both critical players for the team, struggled in their Finals debut. During the game, Holmgren scored just six points and grabbed six rebounds, shooting 2-9 from the field. Williams, meanwhile, needed 19 shots to tally 17 points, contributing six assists and four rebounds.

In comparison, Pascal Siakam of the Pacers recorded a team-high 19 points and 10 rebounds, illustrating the gap in performance among players. Daigneault acknowledged the lack of experience shown by Holmgren and Williams, emphasizing their important roles despite their youth.

<p“They have carved out huge roles on our team… These are guys that are in their third year. Usually, delivering in the finals is not on the curriculum for third-year players,” Daigneault stated.

Williams, who just made the All-Star team this season, expressed an uncommon mindset regarding his experience. “Pressure is a privilege. So I enjoy being counted on,” he said during practice leading up to Game 2.

Holmgren, who did not play his rookie season due to injury, has had a brief but impactful career thus far. He missed part of this season due to a pelvis injury but averaged 15 points and eight rebounds in 32 games. “At the end of the day,” Holmgren said, “our responsibility is to be ready to execute no matter what the coaches ask us.”

The Thunder are the second-youngest team to ever reach the NBA Finals, making the pressure of the finals particularly significant. Fans are eager to see if the young players can learn from their Game 1 mistakes in tomorrow’s rematch.

Game 2 is set for Sunday at 8 p.m. in Oklahoma City.