The Indiana Pacers' improbable run to Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals has captivated the basketball world. After finishing the regular season with a 50-32 record and securing the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, few predicted the Pacers would make it this far. But led by Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, Indiana defied expectations, overcoming the Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New York Knicks to reach their first NBA Finals in 25 years. Now, facing the Oklahoma City Thunder in a winner-take-all Game 7, the Pacers stand on the precipice of history.
Entering the season, the Pacers were a long shot to win the title. According to Basketball-Reference, their preseason championship odds were +6600, tied with the Sacramento Kings for the 17th-best odds in the league. Several teams with worse regular-season records, such as the New Orleans Pelicans and Philadelphia 76ers, had better preseason odds. In contrast, the Thunder entered the season with the second-best odds at +675, behind only the reigning champion Boston Celtics.
If the Pacers were to win the championship, they would be among the most unlikely champions in NBA history. The NBA has typically been dominated by teams with superstars. Since the 1984-85 season, the NBA champions with the most distant preseason odds were the 2014-15 Golden State Warriors, who entered the season with +2800 odds. Other unlikely champions include the 2011 Dallas Mavericks and the 1995 Houston Rockets, both at +1850.
The Pacers' journey to the Finals has been marked by resilience and improbable comebacks. They won ten games outright as underdogs in the playoffs and displayed a balanced attack, with multiple players contributing double-digit point totals each game. In Game 6 of the Finals, they held the Thunder to their lowest point total of the season and recorded 16 steals, the most in an NBA Finals game since 2008.
Despite their success, many still doubt the Pacers' chances of winning the title. Even with a 3-3 tie in the series, they are considered underdogs in Game 7 against the Thunder, who have home-court advantage and a strong record on their home floor. However, the Pacers have already defied the odds throughout the playoffs, and they have shown they can compete with the Thunder on the biggest stage.
The Pacers' potential championship would not only be a historic achievement for the franchise but also a testament to the power of teamwork, perseverance, and defying expectations. They have already proven they can overcome adversity, and they have the opportunity to make history as one of the most unlikely champions in NBA history.
