Pacers and Thunder NBA Finals is better than it’s ‘small-market’ billing
USA TODAY Sports’ Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the star-studded NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
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In the NBA playoffs, the outcome often rests on the underrated.
Certainly, the performances of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton will be scrutinized and big games can propel their respective teams to victories. But it’s often the role players, sometimes off the bench, erupting on a scoring streak or clamping down on defense, who can make the difference between winning and losing.
Think Steve Kerr’s nine points off the bench for the Chicago Bulls — seven of which came in the fourth quarter — in the closeout Game 6 of the 1997 Finals, including the game-winning, 14-foot jumper with 5 seconds to play. Think Andre Iguodala winning Most Valuable Player of the 2015 NBA Finals for the Golden State Warriors, despite being a sixth man for most of the series.
Now, not every role player will win MVP, but steady contributions, in a series with two deep teams, will go a long way.
Here’s a look at three under-the-radar players for the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers who could make the difference between winning and losing in the 2025 NBA Finals:
Alex Caruso, guard
He gives them incredible defensive versatility off the bench, as he’s capable of guarding any position on the floor. This postseason, he has been tasked with defending Nuggets center Nikola Jokić and Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards. Plus, when he’s on the floor, the Thunder can go to an incredibly small lineup — with Caruso serving as the center — which could come in handy against a quick and athletic Pacers team.
Kenrich Williams, forward
He was essentially out of the rotation in the first and second rounds of the playoffs, but Williams provided energy and offense in limited minutes off the bench during the Western Conference finals. In the five games of that series, Williams played just 47:42 and posted a +32 in plus-minus. Known affectionately as Kenny Hustle, Williams is a quintessential spark off the bench whose effort — tipping rebounds to teammates and saving loose balls — often doesn’t appear in box scores.
Luguentz Dort, guard
Though Dort is a starter, he’s the fourth- or fifth-best offensive option on the unit, on a similar level as center Isaiah Hartenstein. But Dort, who is persistent and physical, will likely be the primary defender on Tyrese Haliburton. Using his hands to slow the players he defends, Dort can easily frustrate opposing guards into mistakes or foul trouble. This is exactly the type of matchup that he gets up for.
Bennedict Mathurin, forward
When the Pacers need a scoring lift off the bench, it’s usually Mathurin who provides it. Though he struggled in the first three games of the Eastern Conference finals, Mathurin played with intention and force in Games 4 and 5. He attacked and drew contact, often getting Knicks guards into foul trouble. And when he got to the line, he was lethal, draining all but one of his 29 attempts from the stripe in the series. Indiana will need his scoring off the bench with the second unit.
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IndyStar’s Dustin Dopirak and The Oklahoman’s Jenni Carlson look at players outside the spotlight who may make the difference in NBA Finals.
T.J. McConnell, guard
Speaking of the second unit, Haliburton’s backup will need to step up, too. McConnell is a 33-year-old veteran whose game is often deliberate, but he provides high energy, scoring from the mid-range and play-making out of the point guard spot. He rarely plays more than 20 minutes a game, but McConnell will play a massive part in making sure the Pacers don’t fall behind when Haliburton gets a rest.
Thomas Bryant and Tony Bradley, centers
The Thunder have excellent height in their starting lineup with Chet Holmgren and Hartenstein, a pair of 7-footers looming in the frontcourt. Bryant, who flushed 3-of-4 attempts from 3 in the Game 6 clincher in the Eastern Conference finals, played because Bradley was nursing a hip injury. Given OKC’s height, this could be a series where Bryant and Bradley both play, even if Bradley isn’t a full go.
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