The NBA has set the stage for a high-octane opening to the 2025-26 season, pitting the Indiana Pacers against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 23, in what is expected to be an electrifying showdown at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. This game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN, as reported by FOX59. The matchup is a direct callback to the nail-biting NBA Finals series of late June, where the Pacers ultimately fell to the Thunder in seven games.
To build on the league's momentum, the NBA has announced a two-day series of doubleheaders, including a Finals rematch. According to The Big Lead, the schedule reveal has generated significant anticipation among fans ahead of the October tip-off.
When diving into the recent history between these two teams, memories of the thrilling 2025 NBA Finals series come to the fore. The Pacers managed to bag two victories on their home turf against the Thunder during the finals, with pivotal wins in Games 3 and 6. However, their efforts at home were not enough to clinch the title as the Thunder took home the championship with a definitive 103-91 victory in Game 7. Fans and players alike, no doubt, have circled October 23rd on the calendar, marking it as a day of redemption or reaffirmation. This detail comes from WISH-TV's coverage of the upcoming season kickoff.
The NBA will release the full schedule for the 2025-26 season this Thursday, allowing teams and fans to plan for the matchups ahead. The Pacers’ opener against the Thunder is expected to be one of the season’s marquee events, marking a high-profile rematch from the 2025 NBA Finals.
