Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes promise before Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals

The Oklahoma City Thunder couldn’t capitalize on their home-court advantage in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals, falling 111–110 to the Indiana Pacers after a dramatic buzzer-beater by Tyrese Haliburton. Despite the heartbreaking loss, Thunder superstar and reigning league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t rattled.

SGA promises Thunder improvement

“We’ve got to treat it like any other game, like any other situation we’ve been in,” SGA told reporters after the game. “That doesn’t change who we are. It’s still basketball - the same game we grew up playing. Just because it’s the Finals doesn’t mean we’re going to approach it any differently. We’ll be better in Game 2.”

Gilgeous-Alexander, making his NBA Finals debut, delivered a monster performance with 38 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. But with only three other Thunder players scoring in double digits, the offense lacked the balance needed to close out the win.

“We’ve got to focus on being better,” the Canadian point guard emphasized. “This isn’t a one-game series - it’s first to four. That’s where we are. We’ve got to understand that and make sure we get four wins before they do. That’s how you win a championship. It’s not rocket science.”

How important is winning Game 1 in the NBA Finals?

SGA is right. Winning Game 1 doesn’t guarantee a title - far from it. Of the last five NBA Finals, only three Game 1 winners went on to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy: the 2024 Boston Celtics, the 2023 Denver Nuggets, and the 2020 Los Angeles Lakers.

In 2021, the Phoenix Suns struck first but ultimately lost the series in six to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks. And in 2022, after trading wins early in the series, the Celtics saw their hopes dashed when Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors seized control in Games 5 and 6 to clinch Curry’s fourth ring.

Game 1 may have slipped through OKC’s fingers, but the series is far from over. The Thunder have a chance to bounce back and they know exactly what it’ll take.

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