Pacers and Thunder: Their last NBA Finals appearances

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers have made unforgettable journeys to the NBA Finals. The last time the two franchises reached the league’s grand stage will be the topic of this article.

Related: NBA Fans React As Indiana Pacers Advance To 2025 NBA Finals

In their histories, the Pacers have only reached the NBA Finals once. As for the Thunder, they reached one Finals since moving to OKC and three times when they were the Seattle SuperSonics.

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Last NBA Finals appearance: Indiana Pacers

Year: 2000

Opponent: Los Angeles Lakers

Outcome: Lost (4-2)

The Indiana Pacers’ only trip to the NBA Finals was in the 1999-00 season when they were led by franchise icon Reggie Miller and head coach Larry Bird. The Pacers earned their way into the Finals by eliminating the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, which they accomplished again in 2025.

The team they faced in the Finals was the Los Angeles Lakers, whose lineup was dominated by the tandem of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. The Pacers put up a good fight, stretching the series to six games, but in the end, they lost, as the Lakers began their new dynasty.

Last NBA Finals appearance: Oklahoma City Thunder

Year: 2012

Opponent: Miami Heat

Outcome: Lost (4-1)

In 2012, the last time they reached the NBA Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder were led by their original “Big Three”—Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. After knocking off the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, the Thunder faced the Miami Heat in the championship series.

The Thunder took Game 1 but then lost four straight to the Heat, who were led by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. OKC has a bright future and many believed they’d be back in the Finals.

It took 13 years for the Thunder to make it back. Now they have a chance to win their first championship in Oklahoma City.

This won’t be an easy task as the Pacers, who are ending their own Finals drought of 25 years, are looking to hang their first NBA championship banner.

About the Author Published Jun 3, 2025

TITAN FREY

Titan Frey is a dedicated father to three wonderful children, whom he takes immense pride in. His passions include reading, writing, basketball, both playing and watching, and playing chess. Titan spent five years working as a journalist for the basketball website fadeawayworld.net, where he served as editor-in-chief for four and a half years. One of his most notable achievements was interviewing Chuck Cooper III, the son of Chuck Cooper, the first African American ever drafted by an NBA team, and writing a biography that has been praised as the most definitive article about Cooper’s legacy. Titan is the author of more than ten novels and the screenwriter of three produced short films. His newest young adult novel, Echoes of the Hardwood: Braxton Foxworthy’s Time‑Travelling Book Report, blends basketball history with heartfelt storytelling and is now available. Order here: https://a.co/d/bo7BYz1