Pacers’ Flight Delayed by Severe Weather Ahead of NBA Finals

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma — The Indiana Pacers have arrived in Oklahoma City after a delayed flight due to severe weather. The team is set to compete in their first NBA Finals since 2000, against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Pacers’ charter flight, which originated in Indianapolis, was diverted to Tulsa on Tuesday afternoon as tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm watches were issued for Oklahoma City and surrounding areas.

After refueling in Tulsa, the flight took a longer route to avoid another band of storms, ultimately landing in Oklahoma City about three and a half hours later than scheduled, around 7 p.m. local time.

“You spend so much time thinking about getting there, but it’s like, you’re here now,” said the Pacers’ center, reflecting on the journey. “It’s about doing something with the opportunity.”

The tornado warnings were serious, with at least one tornado reportedly spotted near Norman, Oklahoma, during the time the Pacers were in transit. Norman is located about 20 miles south of Oklahoma City.

This NBA Finals appearance marks a significant moment for the Pacers organization. The team will participate in a media day on Wednesday, ahead of the highly anticipated Game 1 scheduled for Thursday night.