Tension Builds, Eyes Lock In — All Roads Lead to Tip-Off. NBA Finals Game 2 Starts Now (Credit: NBA Canada)
NBA Finals Game 2 delivered the kind of ending Hollywood couldn’t script—and absolutely no one saw it coming. The Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder were expected to light up the scoreboard, but what unfolded left the Thunder fans speechless.
After narrowly losing Game 1 in the last second, the Thunder returned with fury on Sunday night in NBA Finals Game 2, dismantling the Pacers’ rhythm with smart coaching, surprising performances, and grit that turned the series upside down. Below is everything you need to know. Get ready for a shocking twist at the end.
Trailing by 15 with less than nine minutes to go, the Pacers looked cooked. Turnovers were piling up (25 total), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 38 points and looked every bit the MVP, and Oklahoma City had the Paycom Center buzzing.
Then? Chaos.
Head coach Rick Carlisle, the same man who guided the Mavericks thirteen years ago, through a similar comeback in the Finals, emptied his bench early in the fourth. That gamble sparked a 15-4 run, injecting energy and panic into the Thunder’s system.
And when it mattered most? Tyrese Haliburton— King of the Clutch— the superhero of this postseason—drilled a jumper with 0.3 seconds left, lifting Indiana to the largest fourth-quarter Finals comeback in over a decade.
As NBA Finals Game 2 approaches tonight at 7 PM ET, both teams are managing critical injuries that could impact rotations and momentum in this pivotal matchup.
Nikola Topić – OUT (Left Knee – Surgery)
The Thunder’s midseason addition and promising young guard remains sidelined following left knee surgery. While Topić wasn’t part of the core playoff rotation, his absence limits OKC’s emergency depth at guard, especially if foul trouble becomes an issue.
Isaiah Jackson – OUT (Right Achilles Tendon – Tear)
Jackson’s energy and interior defense were crucial off the bench during Indiana’s regular-season surge. His absence forces Rick Carlisle to lean more on Jalen Smith and reserve bigs to protect the paint.
Jarace Walker – OUT (Right Ankle – Sprain)
The rookie forward is unavailable for NBA Finals Game 2, removing a versatile defender and secondary scoring option from Indiana’s second unit. While he’s been out for most of the postseason, his continued absence stretches Indiana’s depth further in the frontcourt.
While none of these players are current starters, their absences will subtly shape rotations and fatigue levels, especially in a Finals series where every minute and matchup matters.
Indiana’s short-handed frontcourt means more pressure on Myles Turner to stay out of foul trouble, while Oklahoma City’s backcourt will need to stay sharp without insurance depth behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cason Wallace.
Watch the Oklahoma City Thunder Break Their Silence Ahead of NBA Finals Game 2:
| Game | Date | Matchup | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 2 | Sunday, June 8 | Pacers vs. Thunder | 7:00 p.m. |
| Game 3 | Wednesday, June 11 | Thunder vs. Pacers | 7:30 p.m. |
| Game 4 | Friday, June 13 | Thunder vs. Pacers | 7:30 p.m. |
| *Game 5 | Monday, June 16 | Pacers vs. Thunder | 7:30 p.m. |
| *Game 6 | Thursday, June 19 | Thunder vs. Pacers | 7:30 p.m. |
| *Game 7 | Sunday, June 22 | Pacers vs. Thunder | 7:00 p.m. |
Note: Games 5–7 will be played only if necessary.
The Thunder is a young, tough team. But NBA Finals Game 2 is where we find out if they’re ready for this moment.
If they can shut down Haliburton, fix late-game execution, and limit turnovers, they’ll even the series before heading to Indiana. But if Indiana smells blood and keeps riding this wave of wild finishes?
Don’t be surprised if the Pacers take a 2-0 lead and head home in full control of the series.
Just before publishing, a source close to the Pacers locker room hinted at a potential surprise lineup change for Game 2. No names confirmed yet—but it could shake up both teams’ strategies entirely.
And word from courtside insiders? Tyrese Haliburton’s pregame confidence is off the charts. He reportedly told teammates:
“Tonight won’t come down to the final shot.”
We’ll all find out together at the NBA Finals Game 2 at 7 PM tonight—but remember, the real fireworks may not come until the final buzzer… or just after. Stay locked in.
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