The Oklahoma City Thunder lead the Western Conference with a 37-13 record and elite defense (8th in NBA), while the Indiana Pacers sit at 20-30 in the Eastern Conference with a more offensive-focused approach. The Thunder's superior depth and defensive intensity give them a significant competitive advantage.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
The Oklahoma City Thunder are the superior team overall, boasting elite defense, balanced scoring, and All-Star depth led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Choose the Thunder if you value championship contention and consistent excellence. Choose the Pacers if you're following a team in rebuild mode with promising young talent like Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin showing growth potential.
Compare Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers
NBA team with league-leading 115.2 PPG and top-10 defense (109.8 rating) in 2025-26.
Eastern Conference team in transition with scoring guard Tyrese Haliburton but struggling defensively.
Defensive Rating (points allowed per 100 possessions)
Offensive Rating (points scored per 100 possessions)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers — Comparison Data
Structured comparison data for Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers with 116 attributes.
Current Win-Loss Record (2024-25 season)
Net Rating (scoring margin per 100 possessions)
Nikola Jokic vs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Best Player Comparison)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers.
Who would win in a playoff matchup between Thunder and Pacers?
The Thunder would be heavily favored. OKC's elite defense (108.2 rating vs Pacers' 114.8) combined with balanced scoring depth would likely eliminate Indiana in the first round. The 17-game win differential reflects their significant talent gap.
Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander better than Tyrese Haliburton?
Yes, SGA is currently the superior player. He averages 29.1 PPG vs Haliburton's 20.3 PPG, shoots 49.2% FG vs 49.1%, adds 7.8 APG (vs 9.2 for Haliburton), and plays elite defense with 2.1 steals per game. SGA is a legitimate MVP candidate while Haliburton is still developing.
Why is Indiana struggling despite having Tyrese Haliburton?
The Pacers lack supporting All-Star talent and have severe defensive weaknesses (114.8 defensive rating, 28th in NBA). Beyond Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin, they don't have reliable scoring options. Their defense gets exploited by elite teams, leading to lopsided losses.
What is OKC's championship outlook for 2026?
The Thunder are legitimate contenders with the best record in the West. Their combination of elite defense, SGA's MVP-level play, and scoring depth makes them a threat to any opponent. They would likely be Finals favorites if they maintain health through the playoffs.
Yes, Indiana should consider acquiring a defensive anchor or experienced All-Star if possible. Their 20-30 record suggests the current core isn't close to contention. They have tradeable assets in Mathurin and future draft picks that could be leveraged for an upgrade.