Pacers Could Be Doomed in NBA Finals—But What If?
The Indiana Pacers are fighting hard in the NBA finals, but many wonder if their talented but less decorated roster can overcome basketball legends of the past.
The Pacers are facing elimination in the finals down 3-2 to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but they just pulled off a dramatic comeback. However, the team may have a disadvantage in their sixth game. According to the New York Post, “Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton is believed to have suffered a strained right calf, and he will undergo an MRI exam to determine the severity of the injury, according to a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania Tuesday.” Despite his injury, Haliburton might end up playing in Game 6 of the finals. Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said of Haliburton to ESPN, “He’s not 100 percent. It’s pretty clear. But I don’t think he’s going to miss the next game.” Haliburton said that he had worked his whole life to get to this point, and he is going to help his teammates in any way he can.
Critics are now asking, what if Indiana had to face the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls, a legendary team? The two teams have shared history, with their 1990 playoff clashes, talented players throughout the decades, and the goal of climbing the Eastern Conference Standings. Talksport states, “But what if those same 62-win Bulls—featuring Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Toni Kukoc, Steve Kerr, and Phil Jackson—faced Haliburton’s Pacers this June?”
There is some comparison between the Bulls and the Pacers. Michael Jordan, also known as MJ, led the Bulls. Tyrese Haliburton, the shooting guard of the Pacers, is praised, but he can’t compare to Jordan’s legacy. Phil Jackson’s leadership with the Bulls is compared to Rick Carlisle of the Pacers. Carlisle is respected but can’t match Jackson’s impact. Jackson revolutionized team culture, emphasizing mindfulness along with tactical strategy and team unity. According to Talksport, “Jordan’s Bulls shot 962 3-pointers. Haliburton’s Pacers fired 2,934 3s—and they also shot a higher free-throw percentage than the last Bulls team to win a world title. Factor in that Indiana averaged 20 more points a game than Chicago, and the ‘Time Machine Finals’ would be a serious clash of basketball cultures. Could the dynasty Bulls outscore and keep up with the new Pacers?” Each team also has their own way of playing. For example, the Bulls shot just 962 3-pointers in 1998, while Indiana shot nearly 3,000. However, the Bulls were exceptional on defense, allowing an average of just 89.6 points per game. The Pacers, however, give up an average of 115.1 points.
Sources:
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45445853/2025-nba-finals-biggest-takeaways-thunder-pacers-championship
https://nypost.com/2025/06/17/sports/tyrese-haliburtons-injury-revealed-with-pacers-on-verge-of-nba-finals-heartbreak/?utm_campaign=nypost&utm_medium=referral
https://talksport.com/basketball/3283104/michael-jordan-chicago-bulls-tyrese-haliburton-pacers-nba-finals/
