The Indiana Pacers are set to host the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse Arena on Friday, aiming to extend their winning streak to six games. After suffering three consecutive losses against Oklahoma City, the Pacers will be eager for redemption as they face the Thunder, who are on the hunt for their fourth straight win following disappointment in the 2024 NBA Cup final.
Most recently, Indiana celebrated victory against the Golden State Warriors, securing a tight win of 111-105 at Chase Center. With Golden State’s Stephen Curry struggling, the Pacers capitalized on opportunities, with Myles Turner contributing significantly, scoring 23 points. His timely three-pointer helped to close the game, allowing Indiana to maintain their lead against the rallying Warriors.
This victory marked the fifth successive win for the Pacers, their finest stretch since January. Under Coach Rick Carlisle, the team has flipped their early-season struggles. Currently, they sit eighth in the Eastern Conference, boasting 15 wins against 15 losses—a notable improvement after previous difficulties.
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder are thriving as they stand atop the Western Conference following their dominating 123-105 victory over the Washington Wizards on Boxing Day. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 41 points, underscoring his growing reputation as one of the league’s premier scorers.
Despite entering the final quarter with only a small lead, the Thunder erupted, outpacing the struggling Wizards. Over the last month, OKC has surged with eight wins from their last nine games, showcasing their resilience and ability to perform under pressure.
OKC has also overcome their earlier setback—a defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks—but they appear vastly improved with their current record standing at 23-5. This run places them firmly ahead of their rivals, including the Houston Rockets.
Looking to the upcoming game, the Thunder will strive for their fifth consecutive away victory. Yet they face off against the Pacers, who have managed to win three out of their last four encounters in regular-season matchups, including their previous meeting on April 6, where the Pacers emerged with a 126-112 victory.
Both teams are grappling with injury challenges affecting player availability. The Pacers will miss key contributors, including 23-year-old center James Wiseman, who has been sidelined after surgery on his Achilles, and Isaiah Jackson, likewise out for the season due to injury. Aaron Nesmith is also ruled out of this match with his ankle injury.
The Thunder's situation isn’t much brighter, either, as they’ll be without significant players, including Adam Flagler (metacarpal injury), Nikola Topic (ACL), and Chet Holmgren, who continues to recover from his hip injury. Alex Caruso's availability is uncertain after being forced to leave during the fourth quarter against the Wizards.
Despite missing these players, the Thunder’s collective performance has been commendable, with Gilgeous-Alexander ranking third on the league's scoring chart, averaging 30.6 points per game. His play has garnered attention and could be pivotal as they gear up for the Pacers.
For the Pacers, the potential starting lineup features Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, Pascal Siakam, and Myles Turner. The Thunder, on the other hand, may start with Jalen Joe, Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, Jalen Williams, and the impressive Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The matchup promises to be thrilling, with both teams showcasing impressive recent form. The Pacers appear revitalized, but the Thunder’s consistent performance gives them the edge going forward. Predictions lean toward Oklahoma City claiming victory, likely by five or more points.
