Thunder’s NBA Finals Dream on the Brink: What’s Causing OKC’s Sudden Struggle Against Pacers?

In the dim corridors beneath Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Oklahoma City Thunder’s GM Sam Presti carried the heavy weight of a 116-107 setback fresh on his mind. Game 3 of the NBA Finals didn’t just end in a loss; it exposed the cracks in a team that looked destined for greatness. The Indiana Pacers — relentless and razor-sharp — delivered exactly what they do best: disrupt the rhythm and make every second on the court a battle of wills. Now, as the Thunder trail 2-1 in this electrifying series, that overwhelming pressure seems to have unsettled even the most composed juggernaut in the league. What was supposed to be a march toward a new dynasty is now dangerously close to unraveling, leaving Oklahoma City on the precipice of a brutal reality check. If they can’t reclaim their identity fast, the dream of that storied championship might just slip through their fingers. LEARN MOREWhatever the reason for OKC’s shortcoming, it now faces the prospect of a Game 4 in Indiana, where the crowd is its own animal — where the pressure will only be more intense. The winner of a pivotal Game 3 has won the series 80.5% of the time. Should the Pacers manage to take Game 4, too, that figure would increase to 95.6%, putting them on the brink of arguably the biggest Finals upset in NBA history.It is not like the Thunder did not know what to expect. This was a tied series. A championship is on the line. The Pacers did not defend them any differently, other than attacking pick-and-rolls at a higher point.Advertisement

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“The turnovers were uncharacteristic,” Daigneault said of his team’s 19 giveaways, one shy of a season high. “Obviously, we’re usually pretty clean there. I give them credit. I thought they played really well.”Advertisement