Downtown Oklahoma City is buzzing with anticipation as the Oklahoma City Thunder prepare to host the Indiana Pacers in a much-anticipated NBA Finals rematch. But it’s not just the basketball action that has fans on edge—an impending winter storm is set to sweep through the city, bringing a mix of excitement and concern to the evening’s festivities. City officials, public services, and fans alike are gearing up for a night that promises drama both on and off the court.
Preparations for the winter weather began early in the week. Michael Colbert, unit operations supervisor, emphasized the city’s readiness, stating, “We been prepping for it since Tuesday. We got all of our snow equipment loaded prepped up. We started brining bridges that evening, and we been brining bridges and some of our snow routes in preparation for this.” With 500 service personnel stationed and ready, Oklahoma City is pulling out all the stops to ensure public safety as the storm approaches. Sheradee Hurst, public relations manager for OG&E, highlighted another risk: “Cars will slide off the roads and into poles, and that then causes outages for thousands of people, and that’s not attributed to the wind or ice or weather conditions.”
Despite the weather concerns, the Thunder game remains on schedule. As of 6 p.m. Friday, the NBA had not canceled the matchup, and tipoff was set for 7 p.m.—just an hour before the first snowflakes were expected to fall. Schools across the area closed early, and residents were advised to stay off the roads, but die-hard Thunder fans are braving the elements for a chance to see their team in action. For those willing to risk the icy streets, there’s a silver lining: ticket prices have dropped significantly, with the cheapest seats available for just $15 on StubHub. It’s a rare opportunity for fans to witness a marquee NBA event at a bargain rate.
The city’s public transportation service, Embark, is operating in “winter weather mode.” Jesse Rush, public transportation director, explained, “What that means is we start to pull back some of our service. We don’t go into our neighborhoods like we normally do, last thing we want is for one of our busses to go into a neighborhood and get stuck.” However, Rush assured Thunder faithful that the Thunder Shuttle would remain operational, ensuring fans can get to and from the game safely.
OG&E has also provided a list of warming shelters across the metro for anyone who may lose power or need a warm place to stay as the storm intensifies. The city’s commitment to safety is evident, with officials working around the clock to respond to any emergencies that might arise during the evening’s events.
On the court, the matchup has all the makings of a classic—though injuries have taken some of the shine off this NBA Finals rematch. The Thunder, riding high after winning seven of their last eight games, are facing adversity with a depleted roster. Starters Jalen Williams (hamstring strain) and Isaiah Hartenstein (right soleus strain) are sidelined, along with defensive ace Alex Caruso, bench scorer Aaron Wiggins, and backup point guard Ajay Mitchell. Head coach Mark Daigneault has been forced to shuffle his lineup, inserting Cason Wallace alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Isaiah Joe, Lu Dort, and Chet Holmgren.
The Pacers, meanwhile, are enduring a challenging season. After losing Tyrese Haliburton to a torn Achilles in Game 7 of last season’s Finals, Indiana has struggled to find its footing. The team is also without Obi Toppin and Benn Mathurin for this contest, and they lost Myles Turner to the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency during the offseason. The Pacers come into the game with a 10-35 record and a three-game losing streak, hoping to snap out of their funk against a surging Thunder squad.
The first meeting between these teams since the Thunder’s championship win in June was a thriller, with Oklahoma City edging Indiana 141-135 in overtime back in late October. While the Pacers’ roster looks quite different without Haliburton and Turner, the competitive fire between these two teams remains fierce. Thunder fans are eager to see their team continue its strong form and capitalize on a softer stretch of the schedule, with home games against the Raptors and Pelicans looming before the All-Star break.
Tonight’s starting lineups reflect the toll injuries have taken on both squads. For Oklahoma City, the five on the floor are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe, Lu Dort, and Chet Holmgren. The Pacers counter with Andrew Nembhard, Johnny Furphy, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, and Jarace Walker. With so many key players sidelined, the game presents an opportunity for lesser-known contributors to step up and make their mark.
But will the weather overshadow the action on the hardwood? The NBA Commissioner's office has a history of avoiding schedule changes unless absolutely necessary. While the threat of hazardous driving conditions and power outages looms large, the league has not signaled any intention to postpone or cancel the contest. Fans are reminded that the NBA generally honors tickets for rescheduled games in the event of a postponement, but outright cancellations remain rare. The memory of the January 8 postponement between the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat due to court condensation is still fresh, but for now, the Thunder-Pacers game is set to go ahead as planned.
Meanwhile, the KOCO 5 First Alert Weather Team, led by Chief Meteorologist Damon Lane, continues to provide updates and guidance for residents. Their 13-year streak as the city’s most accurate forecast team ensures that fans and citizens alike can stay informed as conditions evolve throughout the night.
As tipoff approaches and the snow begins to fall, the resilience of Oklahoma City’s sports community is on full display. Whether it’s the city’s rapid response teams, the adaptable Thunder roster, or the loyal fans braving the cold, everyone is playing their part in making this a night to remember. The game is underway, the storm is rolling in, and the city holds its breath—will the Thunder’s momentum carry them through the chaos, or will the elements have the final say?
For now, all eyes are on downtown Oklahoma City, where basketball and winter weather are colliding in dramatic fashion. Stay tuned for updates as this story—and the storm—continues to unfold.