The OKC Thunder looked forward to stealing Indiana’s home game on Wednesday. But the Pacers took charge of the series, especially during the second quarter, navigating the Thunder’s tricky waters with their impressive defensive strategies in Game 3.
This loss puts them in a 2-1 deficit in the NBA Finals, even as they entered as favorites to win the championship. Everyone assumed the Thunder would continue dominating the way they have this past season, but Tyrese Haliburton and the team decided to repaint the picture. Looking at how the tables have turned in this thriller of a series, Charles Barkley couldn’t help but give out his predictions as to who can hoist the Larry O’Brien.
Charles Barkley’s Crucial Prediction Regarding the Pacers and the Thunder
Millions of fans have their hearts broken after the Thunder lost 116-107 to the Pacers in Game 3. As the two teams now look forward to Game 4 on Friday, Barkley feels that this particular clash will be the ultimate “D-Day” for the OKC Thunder.
“Friday night is D-Day. Friday night is D-Day. That’s (the Oklahoma City Thunder’s) season. If they get down 3-1, they’re not going to win this series. If they get it to 2–2, they go back to being the favorite. But Friday night, it’s their game,” Barkley said on NBATV post-game.
Of course, Friday’s game holds a lot of importance, especially if the OKC wants to maintain its control over this series. If they don’t, they will further fall into the trap of a 3-1 deficit, which is even more difficult to counter.
“If they get down 3-1 they’re not gonna win this series… Friday night is huge for this organization” 😳
Chuck thinks Game 4 could be the defining game for this OKC squad. pic.twitter.com/3D4oem27eF
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 12, 2025
Only one NBA team has made a comeback from such a deficit, i.e., the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers. Even when the Golden State Warriors took control of the series in 2016, LeBron led Cleveland with his sheer grit and talent to win the championship.
If the Thunder lose Game 4, the fifth game will become even more challenging to counter. Plus, Game 4 being in Indianapolis is already putting OKC in murky waters, as they will be on the road, facing a hostile Indy crowd that will deafen them through the night like they did on Wednesday.
Even if the Thunder manage to win the fourth game, they will definitely have to return to the Gainbridge Fieldhouse and face the same crowd to mount a Game 6 victory. This is the only way they can win a title.
Winning the third game of a crucial series like this is important for the home team to establish the tone at home, which is what Indy did. Now, with the advantage belonging to Indiana, it will be fun to see how OKC wrestles to take the lead.
