How to watch the NBA Finals 2025: Pacers vs. Thunder, live online or on TV, including free options
Basketball fans are keeping their eye on the ball, and soon the screen, as Game 1 of the NBA Finals begins tonight. The Oklahoma City Thunder are set to face off with the Indiana Pacers on Thursday, June 5, with an 8:30 p.m. ET tip-off at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The game will see Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton square off against Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the battle for the championship trophy. Let’s recap some team history and developments before we dive into how to watch the big game live. Pacers vs. Thunder: How did we get here? The Oklahoma City Thunder return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012, after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in the playoffs, 124-94, in Game 5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took home the NBA’s most valuable player award after he led the regular season in scoring with 32.7 points per game and 6.4 assists per game. (Oklahoma City lost Game 3 of the West Finals to Minnesota, 143-101, making the Thunder just one of three teams in the history of the NBA to lose a game in a series by 40 or more points, and then go on to win the series.) Meanwhile, the fourth-seeded Indiana Pacers arrive at the finals after outpacing the New York Knicks in six games. “We understand the magnitude of the opponent,” Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle told CBS Sports. “Oklahoma City has been dominant all year long.” What is the full schedule for the NBA Finals? Here’s the series breakdown: Game 1: Thursday, June 5, at 8:30 p.m. ET in Oklahoma City Game 2: Sunday, June 8, at 8 p.m. ET in Oklahoma City Game 3: Wednesday, June 11, at 8:30 p.m. ET in Indianapolis Game 4: Friday, June 13, at 8:30 p.m. ET in Indianapolis Game 5 (if necessary): Monday, June 16, at 8:30 p.m. ET in Oklahoma City Game 6 (if necessary): Thursday, June 19, at 8:30 p.m. ET in Indianapolis Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, June 22, at 8 p.m. ET in Oklahoma City Up-to-date game day information is available on the NBA’s website. How can I watch or livestream the NBA Finals? In the United States, the NBA Finals will air live on ABC. ABC is available for traditional cable viewers and free with an over-the-air antenna. Cable subscribers can also watch ABC live through the ABC website. Cord-cutters also have the option to stream on Fubo, which carries ABC, using the app or website. The 2025 NBA Finals can also be accessed on ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes, and the ESPN app.
Basketball fans are keeping their eye on the ball, and soon the screen, as Game 1 of the NBA Finals begins tonight. The Oklahoma City Thunder are set to face off with the Indiana Pacers on Thursday, June 5, with an 8:30 p.m. ET tip-off at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
The game will see Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton square off against Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the battle for the championship trophy. Let’s recap some team history and developments before we dive into how to watch the big game live.
Pacers vs. Thunder: How did we get here?
The Oklahoma City Thunder return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012, after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in the playoffs, 124-94, in Game 5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took home the NBA’s most valuable player award after he led the regular season in scoring with 32.7 points per game and 6.4 assists per game. (Oklahoma City lost Game 3 of the West Finals to Minnesota, 143-101, making the Thunder just one of three teams in the history of the NBA to lose a game in a series by 40 or more points, and then go on to win the series.)
Meanwhile, the fourth-seeded Indiana Pacers arrive at the finals after outpacing the New York Knicks in six games. “We understand the magnitude of the opponent,” Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle told CBS Sports. “Oklahoma City has been dominant all year long.”
What is the full schedule for the NBA Finals?
Here’s the series breakdown:
- Game 1: Thursday, June 5, at 8:30 p.m. ET in Oklahoma City
- Game 2: Sunday, June 8, at 8 p.m. ET in Oklahoma City
- Game 3: Wednesday, June 11, at 8:30 p.m. ET in Indianapolis
- Game 4: Friday, June 13, at 8:30 p.m. ET in Indianapolis
- Game 5 (if necessary): Monday, June 16, at 8:30 p.m. ET in Oklahoma City
- Game 6 (if necessary): Thursday, June 19, at 8:30 p.m. ET in Indianapolis
- Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, June 22, at 8 p.m. ET in Oklahoma City
Up-to-date game day information is available on the NBA’s website.
How can I watch or livestream the NBA Finals?
In the United States, the NBA Finals will air live on ABC. ABC is available for traditional cable viewers and free with an over-the-air antenna. Cable subscribers can also watch ABC live through the ABC website.
Cord-cutters also have the option to stream on Fubo, which carries ABC, using the app or website.
The 2025 NBA Finals can also be accessed on ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes, and the ESPN app.
