NBA: Thunder host Pacers for first time since NBA Finals Game 7

The last time the Oklahoma City Thunder hosted the Indiana Pacers, they left the court with the city’s first NBA championship after winning Game 7.

Now, just a day over seven months since Oklahoma City’s 103-91 victory, the teams meet again on Friday—this time at opposite ends of the league’s standings.

The Thunder, with mostly the same roster as last season, look capable of winning a second consecutive title. They currently hold the NBA’s best record, winning back-to-back games and seven of their last eight.

Meanwhile, the Pacers, who have a much different roster than last year, own the Eastern Conference’s worst record and have lost 17 of their last 21 games.

Indiana’s season was expected to be difficult, especially after Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles early in that Game 7 loss. The injury will keep the All-Star point guard out for the entire season.

The Pacers have lost their last three games by an average of 22.3 points, including a 43-point defeat to the Detroit Pistons on Sunday.

“We need to keep competing and executing no matter what the score is, whether we’re ahead or behind,” Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said. “That’s the deal.”

Despite the team’s struggles, Pascal Siakam continues to shine.

“He’s not just been great,” Carlisle said, “he’s been beyond great.”

Siakam played a major role in the Pacers’ playoff run last season and averaged 19.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.3 blocks during the NBA Finals.

He also performed well against the Thunder earlier this season, scoring 32 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in Indiana’s season-opening 141-135 double-overtime loss in Indianapolis.

Bennedict Mathurin was also crucial in Indiana’s strong start, but he has missed the last 10 games with a thumb sprain.

The Pacers hope Mathurin will return during their current five-game road trip, which ends Monday in Atlanta.

Indiana may also be without reserve point guard Quenton Jackson, who suffered an ankle injury in Wednesday’s 119-104 loss in Boston.

Oklahoma City will also be missing at least one key player on Friday.

All-Star Jalen Williams suffered a right hamstring strain early in Saturday’s loss in Miami and is expected to miss at least two weeks.

Aaron Wiggins also missed Wednesday’s 122-102 win in Milwaukee due to right groin soreness. Ajay Mitchell left the game with a hip injury, and Isaiah Hartenstein remains out.

Still, the Thunder are expected to have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander available.

Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 55 points in the opener at Indiana and is coming off a 40-point, 11-assist performance against the Bucks.

Despite going 16 of 19 from the field in Wednesday’s win, he said he still focuses on improving from his mistakes.

“Every opportunity, every shot I take, every possession, every defensive possession, every missed box out ultimately leading up to every game is an opportunity for me as an individual and us as a team to get better,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “You’re not going to succeed in all your opportunities, but the ones that you fail in, remembering them and using them as motivation, is how you take steps forward.”

—Field Level Media/Reuters