Image Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

What Caused OKC Thunder’s 15-Point Collapse in NBA Finals Game 1? Breaking Down Offensive and Defensive Lapses

How the OKC Thunder Let Game 1 Slip Away

Image Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

The OKC Thunder were shaken after a massive effort led by Tyrese Haliburton snatched a massive victory for the Indiana Pacers. Despite dominating stretches of Game 1 in the NBA Finals, the hosts cracked in the fourth quarter, losing grip on their early control.

The Pacers entered the final 12 minutes trailing by 15 but erupted with a 35-25 run that stunned the Thunder and flipped the game entirely. Those fourth quarter minutes completely put off the OKC Thunder. One of the major issues for the WCF champions was the ineffective shooting.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the lone scorer for his team putting up 13 points in the fourth quarter. What OKC lacked was a secondary scorer who could have added on Shai’s effort and taken the game away. The offensive capabilities were not only an issue in the fourth quarter but throughout the game for the home side.

Usually you can’t win a series throwing a game away but OKC has a high margin of error imo. Lots of weird variance tonight. OKC shot 39% but the Pacers had a ton of turnovers. Probably an aberration. Thunder defense will give you open 3s especially from the corner. Fun game
— Dante Brye (@TaeBrye) June 6, 2025

Indiana Pacers who gave away 19 turnovers in the first half provided a perfect opportunity to their opponents to close the game early. But the OKC Thunder managed to convert only nine points. If anything, the stat shows how lethargic the Thunder’s offensive execution was during critical stretches of the NBA Finals opener.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made consistent baskets scoring a total of 38 points but the team overall failed to capitalize on it. Jalen Williams’ abysmal shooting efficiency was the center of OKC’s offensive headache. He managed to shoot 6-of-19 from the field. Defensively, Williams struggled as well, repeatedly losing his players and giving up open looks from beyond the arc.

Defensive Lapses Exposed in Fourth Quarter

OKC Thunder played some good defence in the first half. In fact, they build their game 1 strategy on their defensive prowess. The effect was visible in the first half as the Pacers were reduced to only 45 points. It was the defensive grit from the Western Conference champions that forced a record 19 turnovers including 12 steals.

But the same momentum was not carried in the second half especially in the closing minutes of the game. Chet Holmgreen both defensively and offensively looked poor in the fourth quarter as well. During a crucial pick-and-roll, Haliburton baited Holmgren into a switch. The center hesitated, leaving Toppin unguarded for a momentum-shifting three-pointer.

Pacers hit 18 of 39 threes (46.2%). What happened to the Thunder's elite perimeter defense?
— Race4thePrize (@Race4thePrize) June 6, 2025

In many such scenarios, OKC Thunder’s defense was just wide open aiding clear three’s to their opponent. When Tyrese Haliburton drove in the dying seconds, Thunder’s defense didn’t even contest the shot properly. This is when Haliburton seized the opportunity, stepping back and drilling a 21-foot jumper that sealed the game 1 for the Pacers.