The Indiana Pacers have officially confirmed their opponent and date for the 2025–26 NBA season opener. In a highly anticipated announcement, the franchise revealed that they will begin their campaign with a marquee home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 23. The announcement, simple yet symbolic, not only marks the start of a new season but brings immediate narrative tension, given the history between these two teams. For those who followed last season closely, this is not just another opener—it’s a rematch of the 2025 NBA Finals, a series that captured the attention of basketball fans across the globe and ended in heartbreak for the Pacers.
In many ways, this October 23 matchup will be more than just a basketball game. It’s a meeting of two teams with unfinished business, shaped by a series that went the full seven games and was defined by grit, resilience, and ultimately, loss. For Indiana, it was their first Finals appearance since 2000 and only the second in franchise history. Though they fell just short of securing their first NBA title, their performance established them as a rising power in the Eastern Conference. For Oklahoma City, the series was a coming-of-age moment. Led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder seized their opportunity and etched their name into championship history. It was a hard-fought series, one decided by execution, depth, and unfortunately, injury.
The turning point in that unforgettable Finals series came early in Game 7, when Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton collapsed to the floor with what would later be diagnosed as a torn Achilles tendon. The injury cast a shadow over the remainder of the game and the summer that followed. Haliburton, who had been the driving force behind Indiana’s postseason surge, was ruled out indefinitely and is expected to miss the entire 2025–26 season. His absence now looms over the team as they prepare for a year of recalibration, even as they look to compete at the highest level once again. The opening night matchup against the Thunder offers no grace period. There will be no easing into the season, no soft start. It will be a test of character and chemistry right from the jump.
The choice to feature this matchup on national television is no coincidence. The NBA schedule makers know a compelling story when they see one. Opening night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse will be broadcast on ESPN, spotlighting the emotions and consequences that stem from last season’s Finals. Indiana, short its floor general and emotional leader, will have to show early that it can regroup and reassert itself in a crowded Eastern Conference. Oklahoma City, meanwhile, enters the season with momentum, confidence, and expectations. The defending champions will be looking to set the tone and make it clear that last year was not a fluke but the start of something lasting.
For Indiana, this game also marks the start of a new era—one defined not by who’s present, but by who’s missing. Tyrese Haliburton is not just a star player. He is the engine of Indiana’s offense, a court visionary whose passing, tempo control, and scoring are the connective tissue of Rick Carlisle’s system. Losing him for the year is a major blow, one that demands a strategic and emotional shift from the entire roster. There is no replacing Haliburton directly. What the Pacers must do instead is redistribute his responsibilities, adjust their offensive rhythm, and count on player development and depth to carry them forward.
Coach Rick Carlisle returns for his eighth season at the helm, bringing a wealth of experience and a reputation for maximizing talent. He now faces one of the toughest coaching challenges of his career. With Haliburton out and longtime center Myles Turner having departed in free agency to join the Milwaukee Bucks, the Pacers are navigating a new roster identity. Still, the cupboard is far from bare. Pascal Siakam, acquired midseason last year and later signed to a four-year, \$189.5 million deal, will now take on an even larger role. As an All-NBA caliber forward with championship experience, Siakam is uniquely positioned to lead by example. His versatility on both ends of the floor will be central to Indiana’s efforts to stay competitive.
Alongside Siakam, the Pacers will look to a promising young core. Andrew Nembhard, who blossomed during the playoff run, will be handed the keys at point guard. His calm demeanor, strong defensive instincts, and improving offensive repertoire give the team hope that he can be more than a placeholder. Bennedict Mathurin, an athletic and aggressive wing, is expected to take a leap in both scoring and consistency. TJ McConnell, the veteran glue guy, remains a critical component, especially in providing leadership and toughness. Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker, and Isaiah Jackson round out a rotation that is still developing but undeniably deep.
This Pacers squad has shown flashes of brilliance. Their run to the Finals last season was not a fluke. They knocked off the top-seeded Boston Celtics and battled through high-pressure situations, showing poise beyond their years. That experience will be invaluable as they attempt to navigate a season full of questions. Can they maintain last year’s defensive intensity without Turner? Can Nembhard rise to the occasion and keep the offense flowing? Can Siakam shoulder more responsibility without being overwhelmed? And above all, can they continue to believe in themselves without Haliburton’s on-court leadership?
On the other side of the court, the Thunder are coming into this game as the league’s newest dynasty-in-the-making. Their championship core remains intact, built around the brilliance of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a cast of rising stars including Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. They are fast, they are versatile, and they are battle-tested. Oklahoma City’s ascent from young curiosity to league juggernaut has been swift, and they now carry the swagger of champions. They’ll be eager to reassert their dominance, especially in a game that will undoubtedly have a playoff atmosphere despite being only the first of 82.
From a league standpoint, this opening matchup is a marketing dream. It encapsulates everything that makes the NBA compelling: rivalry, redemption, heartbreak, hope, youth, and star power. The visuals will be powerful. Indiana’s home crowd, still aching from June, will be electric. The Thunder, adorned in championship gold, will walk into a charged environment. Every possession will feel heavier than a typical October game. Every run will ignite memories of what happened—and what could have been.
There is also an emotional weight that comes with returning to the scene of past failure. For the Pacers, the shadow of Game 7 still lingers. That was supposed to be their night. The injury, the collapse, the missed opportunity—it will all be fresh in the minds of the returning players and fans alike. Playing the very team that denied them glory is not just poetic; it’s psychological warfare. Do the Pacers use that pain as fuel? Or does it weigh them down?
This season opener is more than symbolic. It’s a challenge to Indiana’s culture and resilience. How they respond in this game will not define their season, but it will certainly set a tone. There is no easy narrative here. The Pacers aren’t underdogs in the traditional sense—they’ve been to the mountaintop and nearly planted the flag. But they are injured, they are evolving, and they are vulnerable. That’s a dangerous combination, but it’s also one that can inspire greatness.
For fans, October 23 can’t come soon enough. It’s a date circled on calendars, not just in Indiana and Oklahoma, but league-wide. It’s a chance to see if the Pacers can be more than a one-season wonder. It’s a moment for the Thunder to begin their reign in earnest. And it’s a game that holds meaning beyond the final score. This is what the NBA does best—turn sports into story, and story into legacy.
As the offseason winds down, training camps approach, and rosters begin to gel, this opener will remain the focal point of conversation in Indiana. Every media day answer, every preseason quote, every coaching decision will be colored by the looming rematch. There is no avoiding it. It’s not just the first game of the season. It’s the continuation of a saga that has unfinished business.
In a league where narratives drive headlines and competition fuels evolution, Pacers vs. Thunder on October 23 is the ideal beginning. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s ready to write a new chapter.
