“You want to go through the best team”: Tyrese Haliburton stirs the fire before Indiana Pacers face Oklahoma City Thunder in 2025 NBA Finals

With the NBA Finals just around the corner, Tyrese Haliburton isn’t just showing up—he’s stepping in like he belongs. The Indiana Pacers star has been one of the feel-good stories of this postseason, earning praise for his creativity on the court, calm leadership, and the kind of quiet confidence that’s helped carry his team through the chaos.

And now, as he gears up for the biggest games of his life, the spotlight shifts to what could be the defining duel of the Finals: Tyrese Haliburton vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — two rising superstars set to battle as the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder clash for the championship. It hasn’t been a smooth ride to get here, but for Haliburton, that’s part of what makes this moment feel so real.

Tyrese Haliburton ready to lead Indiana Pacers into NBA Finals showdown against Oklahoma City Thunder

When Tyrese Haliburton addressed reporters on Wednesday, June 4, during media availability in Oklahoma City, he spoke with the calm intensity of someone who knows exactly where he stands. This week marks the 25-year-old’s first NBA Finals appearance, and he isn’t taking any of it for granted.

“To be here means the world,” he said, reflecting on the long road it took to reach this milestone.Indiana Pacers’ path to the Finals has been a rollercoaster—gritty, unexpected, and fueled by a team that has continually outperformed expectations. At the heart of it all has been Haliburton, whose court vision and leadership have elevated the Pacers to their first Finals since the Reggie Miller era.Their opponent? The surging Oklahoma City Thunder, led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

It’s a huge task, but Haliburton made it clear he wouldn’t want it any other way. “If we're going to win a championship, I don't want to win it any other way,” he said. “You want to go through the best team.”

That team, the Thunder, ran through the Western Conference with a mix of youth, explosiveness, and elite shot-making. And now, on Wednesday night, June 5, at 8:30 p.m. ET, live on ABC, Haliburton and the Pacers will get their shot to derail them in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals.This isn’t just a showdown between two franchises—it's a collision of rising stars with everything on the line. For Indiana, it’s a chance to reintroduce themselves to the league. For Haliburton, it’s a chance to leave his imprint on basketball’s biggest stage.Also Read: LeBron James showers high praise on Alex Caruso, calling him Oklahoma City Thunder's defensive X-factor ahead of NBA FinalsTyrese Haliburton isn’t just playing for a ring—he’s playing for validation, for legacy, and for the belief that great teams don’t avoid the fire, they walk straight into it. As the Pacers brace for battle against the Thunder, their floor general is already setting the tone. No shortcuts. No regrets. Just a shot at glory—earned the hard way.