Who is the best player in this matchup?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder is the clear best player. He's averaging 30.1 PPG with elite efficiency, All-NBA caliber defense, and winning at the highest level. Tyrese Haliburton is an excellent playmaker but operates at a different tier as a secondary star.

Can the Pacers catch the Thunder in the standings?

It's highly unlikely. The Thunder are in the Western Conference with a 47-15 record tracking toward 58+ wins, while the Pacers are in the Eastern Conference at 33-29. Both conferences have different competitive levels, and the Thunder's roster advantage is too substantial for Indiana to overcome.

What are the Thunder's championship chances compared to other contenders?

The Thunder are legitimate top-3 championship favorites at +550 odds (as of early 2026), competing with Boston and Denver. Their combination of All-Star talent, elite defense, depth, and coaching puts them among the few teams with realistic title hopes.

Is Chet Holmgren staying healthy a concern for the Thunder?

Yes, durability has been a historical concern with Holmgren, but he's played 66 games this season showing improved health. His rim-running, shot-blocking, and floor-spacing are critical to the Thunder's identity, so maintaining his availability is important for their playoff run.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers

Updated March 24, 2026

Oklahoma City Thunder

NBA Western Conference leaders with MVP-caliber star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

NBA fans seeking a rising dynasty with exciting, versatile basketball and legitimate title aspirations

Indiana Pacers

Eastern Conference team known for offensive firepower and playoff consistency

Basketball fans who appreciate high-scoring games and enjoy following emerging teams with playoff potential in the Eastern Conference

Short Answer

The Thunder are currently a championship contender with a 47-15 record and elite defensive ranking, while the Pacers are a mid-tier playoff team with a 33-29 record focused on offensive firepower. Oklahoma City's young core led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander significantly outperforms Indiana's roster in both regular season performance and defensive efficiency.

Our Verdict

The Oklahoma City Thunder are significantly ahead of the Indiana Pacers in the 2025-26 season, demonstrating superior team chemistry, elite defense, and multiple All-Star contributors. The Pacers remain competitive offensively but lack the depth and defensive prowess of the Thunder, positioning Oklahoma City as a true championship contender while Indiana fights for a playoff spot.

Oklahoma City Thunder9.6

5.4Indiana Pacers

Choose Oklahoma City Thunder if

NBA fans seeking a rising dynasty with exciting, versatile basketball and legitimate title aspirations

Choose Indiana Pacers if

Basketball fans who appreciate high-scoring games and enjoy following emerging teams with playoff potential in the Eastern Conference

Key Differences at a Glance

🔹

Win-Loss Record (2025-26 Season): Oklahoma City Thunder wins (47-15 vs 33-29)

🔹

Defensive Rating: Oklahoma City Thunder wins (106.2 (5th best) vs 111.8 (20th))

🔹

Offensive Rating: Oklahoma City Thunder wins (118.4 (3rd best) vs 117.2 (5th best))

See all 7 differences

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Key Differences

Oklahoma City Thunder

Attribute

Indiana Pacers

47-15🏆

Win-Loss Record (2025-26 Season)

33-29

106.2 (5th best)🏆

Defensive Rating

111.8 (20th)

118.4 (3rd best)🏆

Offensive Rating

117.2 (5th best)

3 (Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren)🏆

All-Star Caliber Players

1 (Tyrese Haliburton)

Mark Daigneault (4 years OKC)

Head Coach Experience

Rick Carlisle (2 years IND)

2nd seed (Western Conference)🏆

Playoff Seeding (Projection)

8th seed (Eastern Conference)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 30.1 PPG🏆

Average Scoring Leader

Tyrese Haliburton: 20.8 PPG

Win-Loss Record (2025-26 Season)

Oklahoma City Thunder

47-15🏆

Indiana Pacers

33-29

Defensive Rating

Oklahoma City Thunder

106.2 (5th best)🏆

Indiana Pacers

111.8 (20th)

Offensive Rating

Oklahoma City Thunder

118.4 (3rd best)🏆

Indiana Pacers

117.2 (5th best)

All-Star Caliber Players

Oklahoma City Thunder

3 (Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren)🏆

Indiana Pacers

1 (Tyrese Haliburton)

Head Coach Experience

Oklahoma City Thunder

Mark Daigneault (4 years OKC)

Indiana Pacers

Rick Carlisle (2 years IND)

Playoff Seeding (Projection)

Oklahoma City Thunder

2nd seed (Western Conference)🏆

Indiana Pacers

8th seed (Eastern Conference)

Average Scoring Leader

Oklahoma City Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 30.1 PPG🏆

Indiana Pacers

Tyrese Haliburton: 20.8 PPG

Full Comparison

Attribute	Oklahoma City Thunder	Indiana Pacers

Win-Loss Record(games)	54-16	42-28
Playoff Seed Position(Seed Ranking)	2nd (West)	—
Conference Rank(position)	1st (Western)	6th (Eastern)

Defensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)	108.5	113.2
Steals Per Game (Team)(steals)	8.9	7.8

Offensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)	119.3	116.8
Assists Per Game (Team)(assists)	28.4	29.1
Points Per Game (Team Scoring)(PPG)	116.8	—
Points Per Game(PPG)	118.5	—

Leading Scorer PPG(Points Per Game)	33.4 (SGA)	20.8 (Haliburton)

Three-Point Percentage(percent)	37.4%	36.7%
3-Point Percentage(percent)	37.9%	36.2%

Rebounds Per Game (Team)(rebounds)	47.1	45.3
Rebounds Leader RPG(Rebounds Per Game)	10+ (Holmgren)	—

Wins-Losses Record(W-L)	48-22	—
2023-24 Win-Loss Record(Wins)	56-26	—
Regular Season Record(Wins-Losses)	57-16	—
Conference Standing(Seed Position)	1st Seed	—

Leading Scorer Average(PPG)	28.1 (SGA)	—

Team Assists Per Game(APG)	28.3	—

Bench Scoring(points per game)	26.4	—

Average Points Per Game(points)	117.8	115.3

All-Star Selections(players)	3 All-Stars	2 All-Stars

Playoff Seed(position)	1st seed	6th seed

Nikola Jokic Points Per Game(PPG)	N/A	—
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Points Per Game(PPG)	30.1 PPG	—

Team Defensive Rating(DRTG)	105.8	—

NBA Championship Titles(Titles)	0	—

Playoff Appearances (Last 5 Years)(appearances)	2 of 5	—
Season Record (2025-26)(wins-losses)	47-22	—

Points Allowed Per Game(PPG)	109.3	—

Star Player PPG Average(PPG)	30.2 (SGA)	—

Field Goal Percentage(%)	48.2%	—
Aaron Gordon Field Goal %(%)	N/A	—
Aaron Gordon Three-Point %(%)	N/A	—
Aaron Gordon Free Throw %(%)	N/A	—

Rebounds Per Game(RPG)	47.1	—

All-Time Championships(titles)	0	—

Playoff Appearances (2021-2026)(appearances)	4	—

Current Star Player Rating(NBA tier)	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Elite)	—

Average Team Age(years)	24.8	—

Coach Tenure(seasons)	6 seasons	—

Last Conference Finals Appearance(year)	Never	—

Expected Win Total (2025-26)(wins)	48-52	—

Offensive Rating Potential(points per 100)	115.2	—

Final Score(points)	126	—

Location	Home - Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK	—

Aaron Gordon Points(points)	N/A	—

Aaron Gordon Plus-Minus(rating)	N/A	—

Game-Winning Play	Gilgeous-Alexander stepback 3P (0:03 remaining) - 126-129	—

Assists Leader APG(Assists Per Game)	10.9 (SGA)	—

Head-to-Head Result (HOU@OKC)(Final Score)	110 points	—

Third Quarter Dominance(Scoring Margin)	Led 52-46 at halftime	—

Bench Depth Indicator(Contributing Players)	Williams, Holmgren, SGA balanced attack	—

Oklahoma City Thunder

Indiana Pacers

Win-Loss Record(games)

54-16

42-28

Playoff Seed Position(Seed Ranking)

2nd (West)

—

Conference Rank(position)

1st (Western)

6th (Eastern)

Defensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)

108.5

113.2

Steals Per Game (Team)(steals)

8.9

7.8

Offensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)

119.3

116.8

Assists Per Game (Team)(assists)

28.4

29.1

Points Per Game (Team Scoring)(PPG)

116.8

—

Points Per Game(PPG)

118.5

—

Leading Scorer PPG(Points Per Game)

33.4 (SGA)

20.8 (Haliburton)

Three-Point Percentage(percent)

37.4%

36.7%

3-Point Percentage(percent)

37.9%

36.2%

Rebounds Per Game (Team)(rebounds)

47.1

45.3

Rebounds Leader RPG(Rebounds Per Game)

10+ (Holmgren)

—

Wins-Losses Record(W-L)

48-22

—

2023-24 Win-Loss Record(Wins)

56-26

—

Regular Season Record(Wins-Losses)

57-16

—

Conference Standing(Seed Position)

1st Seed

—

Leading Scorer Average(PPG)

28.1 (SGA)

—

Team Assists Per Game(APG)

28.3

—

Bench Scoring(points per game)

26.4

—

Average Points Per Game(points)

117.8

115.3

All-Star Selections(players)

3 All-Stars

2 All-Stars

Playoff Seed(position)

1st seed

6th seed

Nikola Jokic Points Per Game(PPG)

N/A

—

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Points Per Game(PPG)

30.1 PPG

—

Team Defensive Rating(DRTG)

105.8

—

NBA Championship Titles(Titles)

—

Playoff Appearances (Last 5 Years)(appearances)

2 of 5

—

Season Record (2025-26)(wins-losses)

47-22

—

Points Allowed Per Game(PPG)

109.3

—

Star Player PPG Average(PPG)

30.2 (SGA)

—

Field Goal Percentage(%)

48.2%

—

Aaron Gordon Field Goal %(%)

N/A

—

Aaron Gordon Three-Point %(%)

N/A

—

Aaron Gordon Free Throw %(%)

N/A

—

Rebounds Per Game(RPG)

47.1

—

All-Time Championships(titles)

—

Playoff Appearances (2021-2026)(appearances)

—

Current Star Player Rating(NBA tier)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Elite)

—

Average Team Age(years)

24.8

—

Coach Tenure(seasons)

6 seasons

—

Last Conference Finals Appearance(year)

Never

—

Expected Win Total (2025-26)(wins)

48-52

—

Offensive Rating Potential(points per 100)

115.2

—

Final Score(points)

126

—

Location

Home - Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK

—

Aaron Gordon Points(points)

N/A

—

Aaron Gordon Plus-Minus(rating)

N/A

—

Game-Winning Play

Gilgeous-Alexander stepback 3P (0:03 remaining) - 126-129

—

Assists Leader APG(Assists Per Game)

10.9 (SGA)

—

Head-to-Head Result (HOU@OKC)(Final Score)

110 points

—

Third Quarter Dominance(Scoring Margin)

Led 52-46 at halftime

—

Bench Depth Indicator(Contributing Players)

Williams, Holmgren, SGA balanced attack

—

Visual Comparison

Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes

Pros & Cons

Oklahoma City Thunder

5 pros2 cons

Pros

Elite defensive efficiency ranked 5th in NBA
Three All-Star caliber players in their prime
Strong chemistry and continuity under Mark Daigneault
Dynamic scoring options with SGA, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren
Excellent bench depth and role player development

Cons

Limited proven championship experience at this level
Injury concerns with Chet Holmgren's durability history

Indiana Pacers

5 pros3 cons

Pros

High-powered offense led by Tyrese Haliburton's playmaking
Experienced head coach Rick Carlisle with proven winning track record
Capable bench scorers and role players
Playing in competitive but more accessible Eastern Conference
Young core with potential for future development

Cons

Defensive rating 20th in NBA, significant weakness
Lacks depth of All-Star talent compared to contenders
Inconsistent roster construction and fit

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Thunder have three All-Star caliber players (Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Holmgren) working in perfect complement, elite coaching continuity, and a sophisticated defensive system. The Pacers, while offensively talented with Haliburton, lack the defensive infrastructure and secondary star power needed to compete at the highest level.

Resources & Learn More

Dive deeper with these curated resources

Wikipedia

Oklahoma City Thunder on Wikipedia

NBA Western Conference leaders with MVP-caliber star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Indiana Pacers on Wikipedia

Eastern Conference team known for offensive firepower and playoff consistency

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Last updated: March 24, 2026AI generated