It’s all come down to this. Sunday night, either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Indiana Pacers will be crowned NBA champions.

There are not many sporting events capable of matching the drama and magnitude of a Game 7 NBA Finals showdown. This is the 20th instance when the Finals have gone all the way. And while this series may not have the historical weight of the 2016 Cavaliers-Warriors epic, it has given us a dramatic, back-and-forth battle that has been gripping the basketball world.

Will the Thunder fulfill their destiny as the NBA's next dynasty on home soil, or will the underdog Pacers cap off a Cinderella run for the ages?

Powered by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams, OKC has been a juggernaut all season. Their top-ranked defense and deep rotation have overwhelmed opponents, especially at home.

With every possibility of being a fourth seed in view, Indiana has gone contrary to all expectations through their unselfish style of play, tactical versatility from Rick Carlisle, and clutch shot-making from Tyrese Haliburton.

Being on the verge of elimination, Indiana dominated the game with a 108–91 blowout win. The momentum swung in seconds in a corroborative 36–17 run against the Thunder.

Indiana’s bench production and physical defense rattled OKC, who failed to recover from the early deficit.

SGA vs. Nembhard/Nesmith:

• SGA must recover from Game 6’s 8-turnover showing against Indiana's swarming perimeter defense.

Chet Holmgren vs. Myles Turner:

• Turner's ability to stretch the floor could pull Holmgren away from rim protection duties.

Tyrese Haliburton vs. OKC Traps:

• A lingering leg injury + 21 turnovers this series = pressure cooker scenario for Indy’s star.

Ball Movement:

• With 8 players averaging double figures in the Finals, Indiana must continue their pass-first ethos.

Dare OKC to Shoot 3s:

• OKC’s Big 3 are shooting just 14-for-61 from deep.

Limit Turnovers:

• Their 99 total turnovers in the series are a red flag—especially for Haliburton.

X-Factor:

• Myles Turner— His shooting could open lanes and destabilize OKC’s interior defense.

Make Perimeter Shots:

• With just a 50.3% eFG in the Finals and Holmgren at 11.8% from 3, efficiency is key.

Bench Impact:

• Along with early contributions from Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, or Lu Dort, a momentum change could occur.

Slow the Game Down:

• Winning the rebounding battle and controlling tempo are big factors against Indy in their mainstay of down-the-line fast style.

X-Factor:

• Alex Caruso—a defensive stalwart whose offensive aggression may yet carry this one.

Final Tally: Indiana 6, Oklahoma City 5—a split field with a slight lean toward the underdogs.

The okay team: home dominance, a deeper talent pool, and SGA (bounceback potential)—all translate into slim favorites. But with Indiana's fearlessness, deep bench production, and that unquantifiable value of "it" factor, it's definitely not a foregone conclusion. 

A fiercely contested first half, a lot of physical play, and perhaps a crucial moment from one of the league's young players are all to be expected.

A Thunder win cements the arrival of a new superpower, built through draft picks, development, and defensive excellence.

A Pacers win is nothing short of a storybook upset, a team without a single MVP candidate riding hustle, depth, and belief to the mountaintop.

Tyrese Haliburton’s four buzzer-beaters. T.J. McConnell’s grit. Obi Toppin’s breakout. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP season. Chet Holmgren’s rise. This Game 7 isn’t just a finale—it’s a flashpoint for the NBA’s next era.