The 2025 NBA Finals have been delivering all the thrills and twists one can ask for. The Oklahoma City Thunder entered the series as heavy favorites. However, that did not deter the Indiana Pacers from staging what they do best — fighting until the final buzzer rings. They have been the epitome of that proverbial saying — it does not end until it ends.
Keeping with that, the Pacers came back from 3-2 down in the series following a 120-109 loss against the Thunder, before sending it a grandstand Game 7 following a 108-91 demolition of the Thunder. The Pacers squad is already motivated enough. But if they need more of it, then it is right there.
Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle revealed one major material motivating his side ahead of Game 7, as they looked to claim the first title in their history since joining the league in the 1976-77 season.
Rick Carlisle and the Pacers Look to Spoil the Thunder’s Plans for Celebrations
Reported by ESPN senior writer Ramona Shelburne, Rick Carlisle revealed that the videos of buses painted in the Thunder’s colors are food for motivation for the Pacers.
“Rick Carlisle says that he just saw a video, “that’s probably going to go viral,” of some open-top buses that are already painted, “presumably for their parade,” and that’s all I’m thinking about right now,” Shelbourne explained, ahead of the Game 7 face-off.
Rick Carlisle says that he just saw a video, “that’s probably going to go viral,” of some open-top busses that are already painted, “presumably for their parade,” and that’s all I’m thinking about right now.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) June 22, 2025
Oklahoma wouldn’t be the first team to get ahead of themselves in the NBA finals, with the Dallas Mavericks infamously having plans for their 2006 championship parade leaked after they took a 2-0 lead in the Finals over the Miami Heat, which never happened.
And just hours before a potentially historic game seven standoff between the two sides, videos emerged of Thunder buses decked out for a championship celebration, with blue buses decked in Blue paint and the OKC logo reading “2025 champions.”
The OKC Thunder getting their 2025 NBA Champions buses ready 👀 pic.twitter.com/H0Iu6fI8sW
— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) June 22, 2025
Indiana is looking to become the first road team to win an NBA Finals Game 7 on the road since the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Golden State Warriors in 2016. The Pacers’ head coach clearly embraced the challenge prior to the game.
“I love pressure. As you go on in your competitive life in sport, what you learn is that these moments are rare, and trying to duplicate this kind of situation is something that you look to do in everyday life. I’m very much looking forward to game seven.”
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“The last time we’ve had one of these in the Finals, I think, was ’16,” he continued. “These are special moments certainly for both teams, but also for our league, for the game, for the worldwide interest in the game. So it’s a time to celebrate.” Carlisle explained.
With a grandstand finish between the two sides currently ongoing, fans of the NBA are eagerly seated to watch the first finals game seven since 2016, as Carlisle and the Pacers look to do the same thing as the 2011 Dallas Mavericks, win the first title in their history.
