The 2025 NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers has captured the attention of basketball fans as both teams are battling for their first title in the modern era. Hence, the series has brought new life to the Finals narrative. It has broken away from the usual big-market dominance.
Game 1 of the series ended in dramatic fashion as Tyrese Haliburton hit a clutch game-winning shot to give the Pacers the early series lead. The tightly contested game kept fans on the edge of their seats and drew an average of 11.1 million viewers. Hence, many hoped Game 2 would be a high-stakes and high-rating game.
However, the momentum didn’t carry into Game 2. Despite the increased stakes and growing buzz, Sunday’s broadcast of Pacers vs. Thunder Game 2 on ABC averaged only 8.76 million viewers. That’s a notable 29% drop compared to last year’s Game 2 between the Mavericks and Celtics. The Mavs vs. Celtics Game 2 drew 12.31 million viewers.
The dip in viewership may be partly attributed to the one-sided nature of the game. Unlike the nail-biting finish of Game 1, Game 2 saw the Pacers falter early and struggle to find rhythm from the first quarter onward. The Thunder capitalized on Indiana’s poor start, dominating the game and cruising to a blowout win that evened the series at 1-1.
Pacers Honor Players With Street Renaming Due To Historic NBA Finals Appearance
The Pacers are now battling for their first NBA Finals appearance in over two decades. Hence, the city of Indianapolis is going all-in to celebrate the team’s historic run.
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Meanwhile, the streets surrounding Gainbridge Fieldhouse have been temporarily renamed after key members of the roster. Fans walking near the arena will now find themselves on Haliburton Road, Bryant Boulevard, Toppin Ave., and Turner Lane.
The Pacers have renamed streets around Gainbridge Fieldhouse after players before hosting the NBA Finals.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 10, 2025
• Haliburton Road
• Bryant Boulevard
• Toppin Ave
• Turner Lane pic.twitter.com/f5V4WZiwnC
When the players walk down streets bearing their own names, they’ll be reminded of how much they mean to the city. Game 3 of the series is scheduled for Wednesday.
