2025 NBA FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Indiana Pacers (Series tied 3-3!)

[Optms]

Rick Carlisle has been terrible in these finals.

His rotations make ZERO sense.

Playing an "injured" Hali more minutes than a red hot Pascal last game made no sense.

He subbed out Pascal in the 4th quarter when the lead was cut to 2, and the Thunder pulled away with Siakam on the bench.

TJ was unstoppable in that 3rd quarter and didn't get to play in the 4th...

So many examples of how badly Rick has been outcoached here in these finals...

Time to fire Carlisle?

Thibs is available

[Castle Black]

With Halliburton seemingly injured now, OKC should close this one out in Indy rather easily. Impressive Playoff run by the Pacers with some really clutch finishes, but it's over. SGA inevitably wins FMVP. Then it's no more basketball for 4 months. Roll credits.

Read on Twitter

[Mavrelous]

Read on Twitter

?t=sxKlPKIosQ78aNbm-LB1bQ&s=19

He was playing on a bum calf, he's done for the Finals probabely...

[The Big O]

Convenient injury for Hali, when he was trash healthy or not. Either way, OKC closes this out because Rick lost his damn mind.

[Bernman]

Convenient injury for Hali, when he was trash healthy or not. Either way, OKC closes this out because Rick lost his damn mind.

Effect comes after cause. He had decent early series success, in the clutch, or overall. The Pacers could have used either the last 2 games. If so they had to be moderately favored in the series. It was trending in their direction.

I don't think you could say Rick lost his mind for trusting the most clutch player ever, in the clutch, even if you had lingering doubts about the injury. TJ should have been played with Hali to limit amount the latter had to move, or as a replacement in retrospect.

[Mrakar]

lol some people with super crazy takes. Haliburton had great playoffs and also had solid finals. Carlisle was by far best coach in these playoffs and is also doing a great job in the finals. Indiana would be first round exit without one of those 2.
Its so sad that finals have to end this way, one more break for OKC on their route to the championship after AG harmstring and Porter shoulder...

EDIT: i forgot Ja but they would won that 4-1 or 4-2 even with Ja out there.

[oikosnomos]

The injury bug giveth, and injury bug taketh away. Worst part of sports. Hoping Hali can play.

[wang000hk]

lol some people with super crazy takes. Haliburton had great playoffs and also had solid finals. Carlisle was by far best coach in these playoffs and is also doing a great job in the finals. Indiana would be first round exit without one of those 2.
Its so sad that finals have to end this way, one more break for OKC on their route to the championship after AG harmstring and Porter shoulder...

EDIT: i forgot Ja but they would won that 4-1 or 4-2 even with Ja out there.

Pacers would have been at the very least 3-2 over Thunder right now if RC knew better than not involving Siakam much more down the stretch, or not benching their best players of the game until it was too late in past 2 games,even if the refs were clearly screwing them in game 4

Very disappointed in his coaching even if I am not a fan of either teams

[Ice Man]

Pacers would have been at the very least 3-2 over Thunder right now if RC knew better than not involving Siakam much more down the stretch, or not benching their best players of the game until it was too late in past 2 gamess

After Game 3, Rick was an undisputed genius. Now he's a guy who causes his team to lose. Man, that was a quick turnaround.

[wang000hk]

Pacers would have been at the very least 3-2 over Thunder right now if RC knew better than not involving Siakam much more down the stretch, or not benching their best players of the game until it was too late in past 2 gamess

After Game 3, Rick was an undisputed genius. Now he's a guy who causes his team to lose. Man, that was a quick turnaround.

There are still 2 games left, let's see what will happen next
I want to see a game 7 with Pacers winning the chip, but they have dropped their best chance unfortunately

[Johnny Tomala]

Thunder will close this out. It should be over in 5, but OKC blew game 1.

[kdthunderup]

Hali had some injury after game 2 as well and came out and played his best game of the series in game 3. They’ll work that calf and inject the spot to numb the pain and he’ll be good to go. Everyone is banged up with something at this stage of the season.

[MoneyTalks41890]

Shot quality lol

Read on Twitter

[Bobbymcgee]

T. J. McConnell about to stand on business.

[Big nick]

lol some people with super crazy takes. Haliburton had great playoffs and also had solid finals. Carlisle was by far best coach in these playoffs and is also doing a great job in the finals. Indiana would be first round exit without one of those 2.
Its so sad that finals have to end this way, one more break for OKC on their route to the championship after AG harmstring and Porter shoulder...

EDIT: i forgot Ja but they would won that 4-1 or 4-2 even with Ja out there.

Pacers would have been at the very least 3-2 over Thunder right now if RC knew better than not involving Siakam much more down the stretch, or not benching their best players of the game until it was too late in past 2 games,even if the refs were clearly screwing them in game 4

Very disappointed in his coaching even if I am not a fan of either teams

No the series should be over because the shot clock got wrongly reset at the end of game one per the nba.

[Bankai]

NBA Champion and Superstar Pascal Siakam needs more help. Tyrese Haliburton is coming up short as his "Robin"

[RB34]

lol some people with super crazy takes. Haliburton had great playoffs and also had solid finals. Carlisle was by far best coach in these playoffs and is also doing a great job in the finals. Indiana would be first round exit without one of those 2.
Its so sad that finals have to end this way, one more break for OKC on their route to the championship after AG harmstring and Porter shoulder...

EDIT: i forgot Ja but they would won that 4-1 or 4-2 even with Ja out there.

I wonder if they’ll catch the same flak as everyone else.

[azcatz11]

I posted this already but how does he keep getting calf injuries? Is he not stretching properly?

[GiannisAnte34]

NBA Champion and Superstar Pascal Siakam needs more help. Tyrese Haliburton is coming up short as his "Robin"

Raps fans will claim anything these days lol

[jkvonny]

Unfortunate. Hali may be out or very limited. Calf injury.
Pacers depth, grittiness and Carlisle coaching will keep them in the game. With slight leads here and there in first half in front of home crowd. But wouldn't be shocked if OKC overall talent pulls away in the 2nd half. To win it all.
Pacers can steal Game 6. And force game 7. But will be tuff. OKC is healthy and heating up

Game 4 loss hurts Indiana. May have to start gearing up fir next season, run it back and get better, finish it off next time. Good season for the Pacers. Great playoff run.

OKC was the best team in the league all season long. They have proven their worth in the playoffs.