Why the 2025 NBA Finals are “a wrap” after Game 4

The rollercoaster start to the 2025 NBA Finals continued on Friday (June 13), with the Oklahoma City Thunder defeating the Indiana Pacers at Gainbrudge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis to level the series at 2-2 after Game 4.

But despite both teams having won twice, once at home and once on the road, one NBA legend believes the final outcome is a foregone conclusion.

NBA legend shocks with bold Finals comment: “This series is a wrap”

1993 MVP and 11-time All-Star Charles Barkley, now working as a TV analyst, believes the Pacers have already blown their chances of winning a first ever NBA championship, just days after they had taken control of the series by completely knocking the Thunder off their stride in Game 3.

Oklahoma bounced back impressively in the second game of the double header in Indianapolis, which Barkley says is an ominous sign for the remaining games.

“I think the Pacers are in trouble because when you have a team on the ropes, you’ve got to finish them off. If you go up 3-1, you’re in great shape. But now, you go back, you know Oklahoma City, number one, they’ve got a better team.”

The Thunder were comfortably the most impressive team in the league during the regular season, finishing with a 64-18 record. The Pacers, meanwhile, ended up in fourth in the Eastern Conference with 50-32.

Thunder tipped to outpace Indiana to win championship

“Now the Thunder are back to their original starting lineup, which will be better next game. Then they realize ‘we’ve got to play our bench more, we’re back to the thing that got us to the NBA Finals’.“

With Oklahoma having triumphed in what Barkley described as a ‘must-win,’ he expects them to take full advantage of the momentum having swung back in their favor, especially with Game 5 on home court.

“We’re going to go back big, big, we can dominate them on the boards like we did, and they’re going back to Oklahoma City. I think this series is a wrap. I thought tonight was a big deal for both teams.”

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